I won't copy the whole of Nick Friend's article about Chris Woakes in The Cricketer today - just the final sentence:
"If there's any justice, this isn't quite the end."

paulbear wrote:

It had no relevance on this series but lots of other things India did were pathetic and it just shows that the once genial players from that part of the world

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well, quite, I remember well the genial Bishan Bedi, and the genial Sunil Gavaskar always having a laugh and a joke, and the genial Sourav Ganguly, and the genial Harbajan Singh

Bedi was a gent, Harbajan used to cause trouble on a weekly basis and Ganguly was someone who used to look down his nose at everyone, even Steve Waugh used to get wound up by him, coming out for the coin toss very late without his blazer as is the usual way of things..

It seems like Chris Woakes is going down the rehab route rather than an operation in order to be fit for the Ashes. I hope it’s the right decision.

He was commentating at one of the Undead games this week and using his left arm surprisingly freely. Maybe not so bad as feared.

Whether he should be playing in the Ashes is another question.

I read something, can't remember what, that concurred no operation in order to be fit for the Ashes. Alsonread somewhere else, also unremembered, that said he might be a decent, non-playing ashes pick. So it could be these two anecdotes are combined for a one-test appearance on tour and Warks have two tourists both of which are back ups...

No place for Chris Woakes in the Ashes squad.

GerryShedd wrote:

No place for Chris Woakes in the Ashes squad.

I'd like to think he'll be free to play for us next season now. He could join OHD, Barker and Rushworth in an old man pace attack!!

Rob Key has essentially said today he won't be playing for England again.

Considering his heroism in batting with his shoulder dislocated and his arm in a sling plus his overall record for England, I think that Chris Woakes deserved better than to be on the receiving end of Rob Key's dismissive remarks. As I understand it, he really needed an operation on his shoulder in order to have a permanent solution; but he opted for physio and other treatment specifically to try to be fit for the Ashes. If he hasn't recovered enough to be fit for the Ashes, that's a shame. But I don't think Rob Key needed to say publicly that he wasn't in England's future plans. He could have said it privately and Chris might then have opted to announce his retirement from international cricket and gone with dignity.

By the way, George Dobell says that Chris might go back to county cricket or go down the franchise route; but he says that: "it is, perhaps, more likely that he moves into coaching and the media."

Rob Key has had "Issues" with Warwickshire and Warwickshire players since he was replaced in the England team by Ian Bell.

Sam Hain was never given the chances his performances deserved.

When watching/listening to Rob Key doing this interview I don't think he came across very well at all, almost laughing at one point. Crass.

GerryShedd wrote:

Considering his heroism in batting with his shoulder dislocated and his arm in a sling plus his overall record for England, I think that Chris Woakes deserved better than to be on the receiving end of Rob Key's dismissive remarks. As I understand it, he really needed an operation on his shoulder in order to have a permanent solution; but he opted for physio and other treatment specifically to try to be fit for the Ashes. If he hasn't recovered enough to be fit for the Ashes, that's a shame. But I don't think Rob Key needed to say publicly that he wasn't in England's future plans. He could have said it privately and Chris might then have opted to announce his retirement from international cricket and gone with dignity.

By the way, George Dobell says that Chris might go back to county cricket or go down the franchise route; but he says that: "it is, perhaps, more likely that he moves into coaching and the media."

Yes he's obviously losing his central contract and I think he's out of contract with us so this may see him retire completely. I hope not though, I'd love to see him do another season with us.

Rob Key was a major surprise when he was appointed and it was a typical 'Off-Kilter' thing to do like bringing in McCullum and with Stokes as well, it has been responsible for some crazy selections and remarks about selections. McCullum can be held responsible for the England 'Crash, Bang, Wallop; approach to batting which has seen them draw series they should have won and lost series they should have drawn. Key's remark about Woakes, instead of paying a tribute of sorts, was dismissive and doesn't surprise anyone and if he ever thinks he could have matched Bell and his Test record, he is ridiculous. I hope Woakes will play for us next season, we would have a really good attack to choose from and he wouldn't have to play in every game but be part of an attack that can be switched to rest players after a few games.

Plus Woakes comes across as someone who does not think they play too much cricket which might be an example to young ones coming through.

Chris would be an excellent club captain with Ed as the VC.

I could see batting at 6 or 7 and playing as a support bowler for a few years if he wanted. he'd also be an excelent mentor to the younger players.
someone like Charlie Taylor would learn so much from having Chris Woakes around for support and guidance.

Defo crass from Key but I'd stop short of saying it's because he hates Warwickshire, just symptomatic of the current England management's glib attitude to these sorts of selection matters.

Be interesting to see what happens next for Woakesy. I can't see him getting much franchise action seeing as he is currently injured - and he was never really a hugely competitive T20 player. Also interesting to see if he gets back to full fitness at all having eschewed surgery to get fit for the Ashes. I think it asks too much to get a whole season out of him, every other game on rotation with Barker, Rushworth and OH-D maybe the best we get - a sort of swansong season so he can finish his career having at least done something. If not getting rapturous applause from a crowd, he might well get a few grudging claps and "bowled Woakesy" from a two man and a dog spectators.

Underpinning that is what Warks do with his contract, he'll be on our payroll for the first time in many years.

LeicesterExile wrote:

Plus Woakes comes across as someone who does not think they play too much cricket which might be an example to young ones coming through.

I love the lad but he literally did an interview early this season backing the calls for a reduced county cricket schedule.

The Twitter/X poster who posts under the pseudonym W G Rumblepants (at least, I hope it's just a pseudonym) has written about Chris Woakes what I think many of us feel:
"If this is indeed the end, and I’m genuinely extremely sorry if that’s the case- it sounds like it is - then I still think this [his last batting appearance with him arm in a sling] was a hell of a way to go out. It’s was a heroic way to go and I loved him for it. I know many others did. English cricket was lucky to have him."

Has confirmed his retirement from international cricket.