Chris Woakes likely to opt for rehab over surgery to get fit for Ashes

England pacer Chris Woakes is suffering a race against time to get back to fitness ahead of the Ashes later this year, with the first Test scheduled in Perth on November 21. The 36-year-old, who dislocated his shoulder during the fifth Test against India at The Oval, is considering an eight-week rehabilitation programme instead of surgery.

Woakes sustained the injury while attempting to save a boundary on the opening day of the final Test against India. The setback prevented him from bowling for the remainder of the match and from batting in the first innings. Despite being in discomfort, he made a brave return in the second innings, coming out to bat at number 11 with his left arm in a sling, trying to help the home team chase down the target. England ultimately fell short by six runs, with the series ending 2-2. The pacer revealed he is awaiting scan results to check the extent of the damage.

“I’m waiting to see what the extent of the damage is, but I think the options will be to have surgery or to go down a rehab route and try and get it as strong as possible,” Woakes told BBC Sport.

Why is Woakes considering rehab over surgery?

According to medical advice Woakes has received, surgery could sideline him for three to four months, a recovery window that would overlap with the start of the Ashes. Meanwhile, an intensive rehab programme could see him return in about eight weeks, giving him a good chance of playing the series opener.

“I suppose naturally with that there will be a chance of a reoccurrence, but I suppose that could be a risk that you’re just willing to take sort of thing. From what I’ve heard from physios and specialists is that the rehab of a surgery option would be closer to four months or three to four months. That’s obviously touching on the Ashes and Australia so it makes it tricky. From a rehab point of view you can probably get it strong again within eight weeks. So that could be an option, but again obviously still waiting to get the full report on it,” he added.

In my eyes it was just business as usual: Woakes

The veteran’s decision to bat despite the injury earned him immense praise from fans and experts. Notably, he ran four runs in a last-wicket stand with Gus Atkinson, though he didn’t face a delivery. For Woakes, however, the act was simply part of the job.

“In my eyes it [to go out to bat] was never a question. It was just a matter of ‘I was always going to do that’ and I believed anyone else in that dressing room would have done the same. So it’s not like it was just me making that decision. But yeah, I suppose it’s quite surprising how much people have sent the love, sent the support and said how brave it was. But as I said, in my eyes it was just business as usual. When you get the opportunity, you do what’s best for your team. In that moment it was to go out there and try and find a way with Gus at the other end to try and get us over the line. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen but I’m grateful and thankful that I put up the fight and tried to do it for the team,” he concluded.

Get every cricket updates! Follow Us: