Chris Woakes' Opportunity for Redemption

For many athletes, boasting about their records is common, but Chris Woakes took a different approach last year when he remarked that his overseas record "speaks for itself." He acknowledged, though, that his career in away Tests might have been over, with a modest tally of 36 wickets at an average of 51.88 across 20 away matches.

However, fast forward 15 months, and Woakes is preparing to lead England's bowling attack in their first Test against Pakistan. With scorching temperatures in Multan expected to hit 40°C, Woakes faces a tough challenge, playing his first away Test in over two years and his first in Asia since 2016.

Few could have predicted Woakes’ return to this role when England last toured Pakistan two years ago, with James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, and Mark Wood spearheading a successful attack. Since then, Anderson and Stuart Broad have retired, Robinson has been left out, and Wood is nursing an injury, leaving Woakes as an unexpected leader of the attack.

Reflecting on the criticism of his overseas record, Woakes has softened his previous stance. In an interview with The Guardian, he admitted that some of the comments about his away performances were overly harsh. He expressed confidence in his abilities and noted that his selection for this series demonstrates the belief that he remains a capable bowler. Woakes also pointed out that he now brings more experience and knowledge to the table than ever before.

England's decision to include Woakes is based on several factors. His performance during the recent home summer earned him the spot, and the team hopes he has developed into a more well-rounded bowler. With Ben Stokes unavailable, Woakes is also the only feasible No. 7 in a side that needs to field five bowlers.

Balance was a key issue earlier this year in India when Stokes was limited to batting due to injury. England found themselves lacking a bowler who could comfortably slot into the No. 7 spot, which left the team overly dependent on Joe Root’s off-spin, hampering his effectiveness with the bat. Although Woakes’ batting struggled in Sri Lanka, where he averaged just 9.20, he often plays a crucial role in partnerships. His contributions this summer, including key stands with Jamie Smith, highlight his value as a supporting batter in the lower order.

Woakes will also take on the new ball, a role he rarely filled behind Anderson and Broad in previous away Tests. England coach Brendon McCullum believes Woakes will relish this opportunity, noting that he should be better suited to leading the attack from the outset. McCullum praised Woakes for his ability to extract reverse swing even on flat surfaces, adding that his leadership qualities and batting ability make him a key player for England.

Ollie Pope, standing in as captain for Stokes, shared McCullum’s confidence, suggesting that Woakes has the potential to provide the same kind of control that Anderson delivered during England’s successful 2022 series. Pope believes Woakes' skills with reverse swing, seam movement, and varying angles make him a great fit for the conditions in Multan.

This time, England faces much different conditions than during their previous tour. The weather is considerably hotter, but the pitch has more grass, which should favour Pakistan’s pace bowlers. McCullum acknowledged the need for England to quickly adapt to these changes, emphasising flexibility in their approach.

For Woakes, this series presents a critical chance to rewrite the narrative around his overseas career. He knows his past record does not flatter him, but success in Pakistan could mark the beginning of a late-career resurgence, potentially leading into next winter's Ashes. If he falls short, however, this tour may become the closing note on a chapter of an otherwise distinguished career.