England were dealt a significant injury blow on the second morning of the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval, with all-rounder Chris Woakes officially ruled out of any further participation due to a left shoulder injury.
Woakes, who had delivered a crucial opening spell and dismissed KL Rahul before his injury, landed awkwardly on his left shoulder near the boundary rope and immediately clutched his arm in visible pain and left the field. Later, he was seen with his arm in a makeshift sling.
An official statement from the ECB then confirmed that the all-rounder has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the match. It was a significant blow for the English, who had to bowl and bat in the second innings of the match without a key player, who could contribute in both disciplines.
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Will Chris Woakes bat on Day 5 at the Oval?
On Day 4 at the Oval, England were cruising towards a third win in the series thanks to a 195-run partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook.
However, as the two set batters went back to the pavilion moments before and after the Tea break, the momentum of the game somewhat shifted as India were back in the match.
During the fourth day, Woakes was spotted in the dressing room wearing a match jersey, with his left arm still in a sling.
We have earlier seen Rishabh Pant come out to bat in the third Test at Lord's despite suffering a gruesome leg injury. In the 2023 Ashes in England, Nathan Lyon had come to bat in the end for Australia despite severely injuring one of his legs.
CHRIS WOAKES IN THE TEST JERSEY. pic.twitter.com/A3c7bpqF1a
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 3, 2025
It remains to be seen if such a situation arises that India pick up all three wickets in quick succession on Day 5 and if Woakes decides to walk in to bat.
On Day 5, as the Indian pacers breathed fire on the pitch and got rid off the English tail, Woakes came out to bat, with his left-arm still in a sling.
READ: IND vs ENG Test series: New record unlocked as Brook cross 400-run mark
What did Joe Root say about Chris Woakes?
Star English batter Root provided an update on his injured team-mate's condition, while hinting that Woakes could come out to bat, if England need him on the final day.
Root told reporters: "Chris Woakes is in a huge amount of pain. We have seen this series - Pant batted with a broken foot… Woakes is ready to put his body on the line for England."