'It’s really frustrating' - Chris Woakes unhappy as close umpiring calls have not gone England's way in Edgbaston Test

Chris Woakes expressed his disappointment over some close umpiring calls not going England's way on Day 1 of the second Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. The high-voltage clash got underway on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston, Birmingham, with England having a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. India finished the day at 310/5 after Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to field first.

Woakes wasn't at his best in the first Test, and it was understandable as he had returned to the format for the first time since his ankle injury earlier this year. However, he bounced back strongly in the second Test, bowling a probing spell in the first session. The 36-year-old picked up the wicket of the in-form KL Rahul in the ninth over of the day. However, he could have also had two more wickets in the first session itself, but the rub of the green eluded him.

Yashasvi Jaiswal survived an LBW appeal when the umpire’s call showed the ball was clipping only the top of the off-stump. Shortly after this, Karun Nair also survived an LBW shout after being struck on the pads while offering no shot. While Yashasvi smashed a belligerent 87, Nair contributed with a handy 31.

“Well yes, it’s really frustrating. These are decisions which can go your way, but this is the game we play and we move on,” Woakes said in the press conference after the day’s play.

There’s enough in it if you hit the right areas: Woakes

Woakes finished Day 1 with excellent figures of 2/59 in 21 overs. He picked up the wicket of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the final session. Woakes said that there is enough assistance for the bowlers if they bowl in the right areas. He opined that England will stand in good stead if they break the overnight partnership between Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja early on Day 2.

“It’s still a good pitch. There’s enough in it if you hit the right areas. We’ve got wickets at regular intervals. If we can break this stand early tomorrow, we’re still in the game,” Woakes said.

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Woakes also praised Indian captain Shubman's knock on Day 1, as the Punjab batter scored 114 runs off 216 balls, showing phenomenal grit and determination.

“It was a great hundred. He did really well for his team. He managed to absorb pressure and then capitalise,” Woakes stated.