Chris Woakes father to make trip to Edgbaston for third Test

Not many parents get to watch their children perform for their country on the biggest stage. Therefore, it is perhaps one of the greatest honors of Chris Woakes and his father to watch his son play on a regular basis. Woakes, who is in a current purple patch at the moment hopes that his current form could help his father shed the latter’s fear of flying and come and watch him ply his trade with the England side at Edgbaston. The Birmingham ground also just so happens to be Woakes’ home ground.

Roger Woakes, the father of Chris Woakes was also present when Chris concluded the Lord’s Test against Pakistan with 11 wickets to his name, only to end up on the losing side. But travelling overseas is a different story for Roger Woakes, although son Chris hopes that might change if he is selected for England’s 2017/18 tour of Australia.

“They [my parents] follow me as much as possible, [but] not overseas – my dad has never flown at all,” said Woakes at an event staged by series sponsors Investec. “He’s never left the country, but [my parents] drive all over the UK. He’s a little bit claustrophobic, so flying has always been a no-no. He doesn’t get in lifts and things like that [either].” Woakes would be delighted if his father saw him in action in Australia, but thinks it unlikely.

“I don’t think I would [be able to persuade him] – unless he went on a boat,” Woakes added. “I’m sure he’d love to, but don’t think he’d be able to. I’m sure he’ll be happy sat on his sofa watching it on TV with a cup of tea. [But] don’t get me wrong – I’ll ask the question if I’m in the Ashes squad.” Woakes’s Test debut at The Oval at the conclusion the 2013 Ashes also presented his father with a problem.

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He always gets the stairs,” Woakes explained. “I booked them a hotel by the river, and they put him on the 17th floor. “He was in his late 60s then, so he had to get moved – but they couldn’t do it until the next day, so he was walking up and down 17 floors. He was knackered.”