England sweat over Chris Woakes fitness following ‘tiny crack’ on thumb

Chris Woakes has become the second England player to sustain an injury on his hand following the injury to Haseeb Hameed. Reports from ESPNCricinfo suggested that Woakes suffered a ‘tiny crack’ on his thumb after being struck by a short-pitched delivery from Mohammad Shami while batting in the second innings.

However, in spite of this, Chris Woakes made his way back into the grand scheme of things as he managed to pick up the ball and bowl afterward as well. While this remains to be one of England’s minor issues at the moment, Woakes is expected to be fit for the Wankhede Test match which is expected to begin in a week.

In spite of the fact that Stuart Broad is on the side, the Brits might have to find a replacement for Woakes in the upcoming encounter. Many have given credit to Shami for the wicket of Woakes given the fact that the 26-year old Indian pacer used a tactic employed by the West Indies players in the early 1980s to intimidate batsmen.

The first short-delivery smashed Woakes straight on the helmet and even knocked off the neck-guard at the back of the helmet as well. The neck guard, something that is nestled at the rear end of the helmet was implemented a few short months following the death of Australian batsman Phil Hughes. However, the next delivery saw Woakes making a futile attempt to play the delivery.

To add salt to the already existing wound, the ball bounced off the glove and landed in the safe and secure hands of Parthiv Patel, meaning that the 26-year old England all-rounder would have to take the long walk back to the haven of the England dressing room. While it remains highly unlikely that a replacement would be named for Woakes, the England management is expected to announce one for Haseeb Hameed who will return to England for an operation on his hand.