Joe Root has provided an update on Chris Woakes’ injury and whether the all-rounder will be able to bat for England on day five of the Oval Test against India.
The series is on a knife's edge, with England needing just 35 more runs to win, to make it 3-1, and India requiring four wickets to level the series 2-2.
Chasing 374, England lost their third wicket for 106 runs on day four. However, Root and Harry Brook struck brilliant centuries, bringing the hosts within touching distance of victory. Just as England seemed in control at 301-3, a fiery spell from Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj turned the tide, reducing them to 337-6. With the match poised for an exciting finish, rain interrupted play, suspending the action for the rest of the day and leaving the contest wide open.
Also read: Stuart Broad criticises 'lazy' decision to end day four an hour before scheduled close at The Oval
35 runs, four wickets.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 3, 2025
Rain pushes the contest into a final day with a dramatic finish on hold.#ENGvIND #Cricket pic.twitter.com/QwTKu7YrpJ
England were a batter short in their first innings, scoring 247 in reply to India’s 224, after Woakes – who injured his shoulder while fielding on day one – hadn’t participated in the rest of the match. With the Oval Test heading for a tense finish, Root confirmed that Woakes, despite a suspected dislocation, would be available to bat on the final morning, if needed.
Root provides update on injured Woakes
On Sunday, Woakes was spotted in England whites in the dressing room, with his left arm in a sling, as his team suffered a late collapse – suggesting he would have batted at No. 11 if needed. According to Root, he also had faced throw downs one-handed in The Oval’s indoor training session, readying himself.
"He's all-in, like the rest of us," Root revealed. "It's been that kind of series, where guys have had to put bodies on the line. Hopefully, it doesn't get to that. But he had some throwdowns in here (the indoor school) at one point, and he's ready if needed… He's desperate to do what it takes."
It has been a hard-fought series, with players putting their bodies on the line. Rishabh Pant batted with a broken foot in the drawn Manchester Test – ironically, it was Woakes whose delivery struck Pant, ruling the keeper-batter out of the final Test. England captain Ben Stokes also bowled 11 overs on the final day in Manchester, clutching his shoulder repeatedly, before being ruled out of the last Test with a torn shoulder muscle.
Root pointed to those previously lionhearted efforts and declared that Woakes was ready to do the same for England if needed.
"Clearly, he's in a huge amount of pain having done what he's done," Root said. "It just shows, as we've seen from other guys in this series - [Rishabh] Pant batting with a broken foot, guys taking all sorts of blows here and there - but it means a huge amount to him.
"It just shows the character and the person that he's willing to put his body on the line like that for England, and hopefully - well, hopefully he doesn't have to, but if it does come to that - get us across the line and win us an incredible series."
If England pull off this chase, it will be their second-highest successful fourth-innings total ever, eclipsing their 371-run chase at Headingley earlier in the series. Their record (378) also came against India at Edgbaston in 2022 – a result that secured a series draw.
