Chris Woakes of England reacts during Day One of the 5th Rothesay Test Match between England and India at The Kia Oval on July 31, 2025 in London, England

Chris Woakes, who suffered a suspected shoulder dislocation during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, could be a doubt for the 2025-26 Ashes.

Woakes injured his shoulder during the first innings of the recently concluded Oval Test while attempting a diving save to stop a boundary. He immediately clutched his shoulder in pain and was taken off the field. By then, the bowling all-rounder had bowled 14 overs for 46 runs, including the wicket of KL Rahul, and took no further part in the match. England were a batter short in their first innings as Woakes did not come out to bat.

With England’s next Test assignment being the 2025-26 Ashes, starting on November 21 at Perth, Woakes’ participation in the series is now in doubt.

Woakes may risk rehab over surgery to play Ashes

While Woakes said he does not yet know the full extent of his shoulder injury, he admitted that surgery now would require nearly "three to four months" of recovery, clashing with the Ashes. Instead, he is considering a "rehab route" as a temporary fix to play in the series.

"I'm waiting to see what the extent of the damage is but I think the options will be to have surgery or to go down a rehab route and try and get it as strong as possible," Woakes told BBC Sport. "I suppose naturally with that there will be a chance of a reoccurrence, but I suppose that could be a risk that you're just willing to take sort of thing.

Also read: Despite missed opportunities against India, England are reasonably placed for Ashes assault

"From what I've heard from physios and specialists is that the rehab of a surgery option would be closer to four months or three to four months. That's obviously touching on the Ashes and Australia so it makes it tricky.

"From a rehab point of view you can probably get it get it strong again within eight weeks. So that could be an option, but again obviously still waiting to get the full report on it."

Woakes on batting in sling at The Oval: 'It was never a question in my eyes'

The Oval Test between England and India came to a thrilling finish. After collapsing from 301-3 to 357-9, England needed another 17 more runs to win. Woakes – who Joe Root had confirmed on day four would bat if requiredemerged with his right arm in a sling, drawing a rousing ovation from the crowd. Gus Atkinson scored all 10 runs in the last-wicket stand, while Woakes didn't face a ball and visibly struggled while running between the wickets. England fell short by just six runs, handing India their narrowest-ever Test victory.

Recounting that lionhearted effort, Woakes said there was never any doubt in his mind about batting in the fourth innings and believed any of his England teammates would have done the same.

"In my eyes it was never a question [of going out to bat]. It was just a matter of 'I was always going to do that' and I believed anyone else in that dressing room would have done the same. So it's not like it was just me making that decision. But yeah, I suppose it's quite surprising how much people have sent the love, sent the support and said how brave it was. But as I said, in my eyes it was just business as usual.

"When you get the opportunity, you do what's best for your team. In that moment it was to go out there and try and find a way with Gus at the other end to try and get us over the line. Unfortunately, it didn't happen but I'm grateful and thankful that I put up the fight and tried to do it for the team."

In the 2023 Ashes, Woakes – making his Test comeback after over a year – took 19 wickets in three matches at 18.15 (the third-highest tally in the series), playing a pivotal role in England’s fightback from 0-2 down to level the series. His performances earned him England’s Player of the Series.

Since his return, he has claimed 62 wickets at 27.25, the third-most by any English bowler in that period. With the retirements of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, he is now the senior-most bowler in the side.

While his away average of 48.93 remains a concern, Woakes has shown signs of improvement, notably during England’s New Zealand tour, where he averaged 29.16 across two matches.

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