By Trisha Ghosal in Birmingham
With England holding a 1-0 lead heading into the Edgbaston Test, Chris Woakes struck a sobering note about what lies ahead. “I’m sure again we’ll be looking at another good batting surface… so it might be a bit of a hard week for the bowlers,” he admitted, foreshadowing a physically demanding Test.
The Headingley pitch, where India posted two fighting totals, already tested England’s bowlers. With a similarly flat pitch expected and clear skies around, Woakes hinted that tactical adjustments would be crucial: “We’ll look at things we did well last week and maybe things we didn’t… and try and run again.”
No Guarantees on Selection: “You Always Reassess”
Despite England’s dominant victory, Woakes did not confirm that the same XI would be retained. “You always turn up at a new venue and look at the surface, past history… maybe reassess what gives you the best opportunity to win,” he said.
While insisting selection was not his decision, the door was left open for rotation—even in a winning side. It’s a subtle, but striking departure from the stability Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have largely backed during their tenure.
Stokes, the Bowler: “As Threatening As I’ve Seen”
Woakes was emphatic in his praise for Ben Stokes’ bowling comeback. “He was incredible,” Woakes said, pointing to the skipper’s improved pace and consistency. “His relentlessness and energy on the ball was as good as I’ve seen for a long time.”
He added that Stokes’ physical condition was “fit and lean… in really good condition,” and hinted that time off from constant match bowling might’ve sharpened his skill set. “He’s probably looked at his bowling and thought he could tinker a few things.”
Facing Pant: “You Don’t Know What’s Coming Next”
When asked about planning for Rishabh Pant, Woakes admitted the Indian wicketkeeper-batter forces bowlers to adapt on the fly. “He’s a player that keeps you on your toes… sometimes exciting, sometimes unsettling.”
He acknowledged Pant’s ability to shift momentum quickly and revealed England’s bowling group would be meeting soon to fine-tune specific plans. “We’ll have some discussions on how to bowl to them a bit better.”
Belief, but Not Blind Faith
While the tone of the conference was confident, Woakes made it clear that England aren’t resting on their laurels. “We’re a group that knows we need to improve… we know we can do better.”
He concluded by reinforcing the team’s belief in their playing style—“the kind of cricket we want to play”—but reiterated that success requires constant refinement.
With two days to go before the second Test, Woakes’ words suggest England are ready, but wary.
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