Chris Woakes sets sights on England’s Ashes trip Down Under in 2025-26
- The seam bowler collected his 150th wicket during England’s win over West Indies
- Woakes, who is 35, will play his 50th Test at Trent Bridge on Thursday
Chris Woakes has refused to rule out a trip to Australia in 2025-26 as he seeks to emulate the late-career development of Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson as he embarks on a new role as England’s top rower.
The 35-year-old Woakes will play his 50th Test match against the West Indies at Trent Bridge on Thursday. He took his 150th wicket in England’s innings win at Lord’s, a match overshadowed by Anderson’s retirement.
He looked down on pace, especially in the first innings, and some wondered why he was not sent in the same direction as Anderson, given the unlikelihood of his selection for Australia.
The difference between his home and away Test bowling averages – 22 versus almost 52 – has not helped his case either, while the sudden emergence of Gus Atkinson, who took 12 wickets at Lord’s, and the presence of Mark Wood, Matthew Potts and the previously unplayed Dillon Pennington, have added to the pressure.
But Woakes, who was named player of the series after the home Ashes a year ago, insisted: “I don’t rule anything out these days. It would be hard for me to stand here and say I’ll be the opening bowler in that Ashes. My away record is obviously not as good as my home record.
Chris Woakes hopes to emulate the careers of both Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad
Woakes collected his 150th wicket during England’s innings victory at Lord’s
“But at the same time, I’ve seen how Stu and Jimmy evolve as they get older. And I still hope that I can potentially do the same.”
The Lord’s Test was only Woakes’ third first-class match of the summer, after taking a break from cricket following the death of his father, Roger, in May. He has described the intervening period as a “tough few months”, and has taken just two wickets at 125 each since his return.
His challenge now will be to assert himself with the new ball – a role he has filled in just 18 of the 93 Test innings he has bowled. His best figures – 65 wickets for 26 – have come as first change, and the management will be looking for something similar as an attacking leader if he is to extend his England career beyond the summer, let alone reach the Ashes.