Chris Woakes is expected to be ruled out of this winter's Ashes tour and may require surgery after dislocating his left shoulder during the fifth Test against India at the Oval. The 36-year-old injured himself diving to cut off a boundary late on the opening day, tumbling over the rope. Scans and further assessment are pending, but the outlook is not positive, with a recovery period likely to extend into months.
England have not officially confirmed the severity, but there is an expectation of an operation. The team lands in Perth on 9 November, and Woakes' absence would be a blow to a raw group of seam bowlers. Despite averaging 52 with the ball in this series, his experience made him a likely traveller, especially with recent bowler-friendly surfaces in Australia and a pink-ball Test in Brisbane.
The injury has devastated the England dressing room, already without captain Ben Stokes for the series decider due to a shoulder issue. Woakes, a two-time World Cup winner and Ashes player of the series in 2023, is a respected and popular figure. His injury follows England's aggressive fielding mantra under Brendon McCullum, with Jack Leach similarly concussed at Lord's in 2022.
Fatigue may have played a role, as Woakes is the only England bowler to play all five Tests, with a series-high 181 overs. With his central contract expiring in October, there are fears his international career may be over. A recovery plan will be established in the coming weeks.
For Australia, the injury could open a spot for Sam Cook, Woakes' new-ball understudy. Ollie Robinson's record makes him a contender, but he has not played for England since the 2024 tour of India due to concerns over his work ethic.
