Chris Woakes Eyes England's Winter Tour Spot

At 35, Chris Woakes is setting his sights on a place in England's winter tours, having stepped into the role of lead bowler after James Anderson's retirement.

Despite not participating in an away Test for over two years, Woakes' home performance stands in stark contrast to his overseas record. His bowling average of 51.88 on foreign soil significantly lags behind his impressive 21.57 at home.

With three Tests in New Zealand slated for December, Woakes seems a natural choice for those conditions, although his effectiveness may be questioned during the October tour of Pakistan.

Expressing his willingness to represent England wherever selected, Woakes indicated that he wouldn't decline any opportunity to tour. The selectors, he mentioned, will have their strategies, but he emphasised his readiness to accept any call-up that comes his way.

Woakes last played an away Test in the Caribbean at the close of Joe Root's tenure as captain in 2022. Since then, he hasn't been part of the tours to Pakistan, New Zealand, or India under the leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

In the absence of Anderson and Stuart Broad, who also retired recently, Woakes has emerged as England's senior seamer. His three wickets on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka this summer have boosted his tally to 14 wickets across four matches.

With more Test experience under his belt, Woakes believes he's honed new skills and gained valuable experience. He suggested that his absence from away Tests might offer a fresh perspective, adding that he wouldn’t back away from the challenge.

England's decision to effectively end the career of Anderson, their record wicket-taker, with the upcoming Ashes tour in mind, has sparked discussions about their commitment to Woakes, who shares a similar bowling style. Though seven years younger than Anderson, Woakes is not considered youthful for a paceman.

One of Woakes' significant advantages is his batting ability, boasting a Test average nearing 28. This proficiency with the bat makes him England's top batter among their bowlers, often stepping in at number eight, and even moving up to seven when captain Stokes is sidelined by injury.

Acknowledging this, Woakes noted that his batting prowess could give him an edge in selection over others who might not fulfil that role as effectively.

Woakes played a key role in dismissing Sri Lanka for 238 on the first day of the series, with England reaching 22-0 before bad light halted play in Manchester.

Reflecting on the day, Woakes felt they had a successful outing, expressing his satisfaction at bowling out the opposition on day one and finishing with no losses by the close of play.

The series also marks the first time England is being led by Ollie Pope, who stepped in as captain due to Stokes’ hamstring injury. At 26, Pope has limited experience in leadership, with only one previous first-class match as captain. He becomes just the fifth man to lead England in a Test since 2009.

Woakes observed that the absence of Stokes on the field felt different but praised Pope's performance. He noted that Pope likely had to be more focused, constantly managing field placements, bowling changes, and strategies for taking wickets. Despite his inexperience, Woakes commended Pope for his communication with the bowlers and for doing a commendable job as captain.