Chris Woakes unlikely to return before West indies tour

English fast bowler Chris Woakes might have to wait a bit longer to make his comeback into the Test scene. The reason behind the same is that there are no Test matches scheduled as far county cricket is concerned until the beginning of August.

The 28-year-old was forced to the sidelines due to a grade-two strain on his left side which saw him miss the first two Tests against South Africa. However, the Kolkata Knight Riders bowler hoped to return to action before the start of the third Test which is scheduled to kick off on July 27^th.

But the bowler has no chance to test his fitness and recovery anytime sooner because of the ongoing T20 season in county cricket. He will have to wait till Warwickshire faces Middlesex on August 6 in a first class game.

The other probables:

Chris Woakes’s no show will see Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane’s debut get delayed till the West Indies tour which is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on August 17.

Mason Crane has impressed the selectors by putting up stellar performances against the South Africans in June in the T20 format. The board wants to give the youngster a taste of Test cricket before the all important Ashes series.

But without Woakes to come in at No 8, the selectors are not willing to stretch the tail by including Crane, who has a first-class batting average of just 10 and a top score of 29.

The possible entry of Chris Woakes and Mason Crane in the three-match series against the West Indies will see Mark Wood and Liam Dawson forced to the bench.

Dawson is considered as England’s ace spinner, despite Moeen Ali’s heroics with the ball in the first Test win over South Africa at Lord’s. But that is simply a psychological ploy to take the pressure off Moeen, who has admitted that he performs at his best when the expectations are less from him.

Wood, meanwhile, is considered crucial to England’s bid to retain the Ashes, and the batsman’s absence from the West Indies tour might turn out to be an important gap for the cricketer ahead of the real deal.