England bowler Chris Woakes reveals why he pulled out of this year’s IPL auction

Chris Woakes currently holds a place in two of England’s three teams, but the absence from Test Cricket has caused hearts to grow and heads to consider some pretty big decisions.

Now 34, Woakes knows all too well the riches involved in the Indian Premier League, having held two contracts worth more than £500,000 in the past, but withdrew from this year’s auction as part of his bid to appear in the ashes of this summer

It means he will go straight from this tour of Bangladesh, which concludes with a Twenty20 series which begins on Thursday, to County Championship action with Warwickshire next month.

‘There were many factors. First, my body every time I’ve come back from the IPL before, I don’t feel like it’s come back in the best shape for a test summer,’ Woakes said.

‘Personally, for me, that jump from T20 to Test Cricket is a huge leap. I have always found that transition quite difficult.

The 34-year-old fast bowler currently holds a place on both sides of England’s cue ball.

The fast bowler has yet to play England Test captain Ben Stokes due to a knee injury.

“I haven’t played Test Cricket for a year so I feel I would need a few overs under my belt to have a chance of knocking on the door for selection in what is a tough team to come back to at the moment.” That’s a big part of it.

The knee injury that saw Woakes miss seven Tests last summer means he has yet to play under the captaincy of Ben Stokes, but talks with ECB managing director of men’s Rob Key last September confirmed he still He is seen as a multi-format player within this current 12. -Months of duration of the contract.

Stokes recently stated his desire to have a group of bowlers at his disposal for a series of five Tests in seven weeks, and Woakes’ undisputed quality on home soil puts him in the mix. No one’s numbers are as polarized as those of the Warwickshire closer, who takes his Test wickets at 22.63 in the UK and 51.88 abroad.

England can also consider outfield specialists as they rotate their attack, further improving Woakes’ chances despite fierce competition from Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.

The Ashes start on their home ground of Edgbaston on June 16 and then come to Lord’s, where in five Tests they have taken more than a fifth of their career wickets – 27 at 11:33. He also averages over 60 with the bat there.

“I would love to be a part of that and I still feel like my record in England is compared to anybody else’s.” If I can get a ‘red ball fit’ and shoot and pitch well, I’d like to think I’d be in the mix,’ Woakes continued.

Few closers can match Woakes’ bowling figures at home, which could give him the advantage

England’s Sam Curran became the most expensive player ever at the IPL auction in December

‘But it’s a tough side to get into and there are guys who play extremely well. I recognize it and I have the opportunity at the beginning of the season to put in some performances.

First though, the chance to complete a cue ball double over Bangladesh. England have not played a T20 match since becoming two-time world champions four months ago, beginning a new 15-month cycle that culminates in defending their US and Caribbean title in June 2024.

However, a series in which England will be missing four members of their winning XI at the MCG last November will be used in part to hone sub-continental skills ahead of this autumn’s World Cup Over 50 in India. Fielding has also been identified as an area for improvement.

The decision not to replace the injured Will Jacks will maximize opportunities for the remaining 14 players, and those opportunities include more batting time for Sam Curran, promoted to No. 5 in the ODI final at this ground earlier this week, and surely he will be part of a top six that will feature four lefties – Dawid Malan, Ben Duckett and Moeen Ali are the others – in a row.