Online Reporter
A brave Chris Woakes took to the field with his left arm in a sling, as England fell to an agonising six-run defeat on the final day of their Fifth Test against India.
With the series poised on a knife-edge on Monday morning it was India bowler Mohammed Siraj who came up with the goods for Shubman Gill’s side, taking the final wicket of Gus Atkinson to draw the series 2-2 in the most dramatic of circumstances, which were perhaps befitting of a series that has been filled with twists and turns.
One of those came in the final hour of play on Monday morning, when Woakes, who dislocated his shoulder while fielding during the fifth Test match between England and India on Thursday, began to put on his pads as England’s remaining batsmen started to fall.
Hopes had also been high that England might not have had to rely on Woakes, but with nine wickets gone and Ben Stokes’ side needing 17 runs to win, the pace bowler, who has been ruled out of this winter’s Ashes series, entered the field of play.
He strutted down from the dressing rooms with his arm in a sling and covered by his jumper and joined Gus Atkinson out in the middle of The Oval.
But his gallant efforts were in vain.Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes tried to focus on the positives after his team’s agonising six-run loss to India in their riveting final Test at The Oval on Monday.
Stokes, who did not play in the match due to injury, watched on as the hosts collapsed from 301-3 to 367 all out to give India a share of the series.
“Credit both teams. The amount of effort from both teams to end up here 2-2 is incredible,” he told reporters.
“The heart and passion and everything that was shown, especially in our second bowling innings, I thought was outstanding.”
The all-rounder did come out to bat with a sling on to try to get England over the line but his absence along with that of Stokes and Jofra Archer left England with an inexperienced pace attack.
“Losing Woakesy early on in the game changed the whole responsibility on the bowlers in particular, the roles they were selected for,” added Stokes.
“But you can look back on a test match that goes five days and pick out loads of moments as to why (you lost). For us, to come out here to try and chase that total down in the way that we did was outstanding.”
Stokes was not critical of the unorthodox or rash shots that caused the dismissals of several England batsmen as the tension mounted around the ground.
Harry Brook made a brilliant 111 before playing a stroke so reckless his bat flew out of his hand, Jacob Bethell was bowled after charging down the pitch and Jamie Smith played three loose shots in a row at Mohammed Siraj, the last one nicking his bat.
“That never-say-die, never-back-down attitude we’ve installed in the group nearly paid off for us,” Stokes said.
“We couldn’t quite get over the line.” —Reuters/Daily Mail.
