1 month ago
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Ben Stokes saluted the ‘unbelievable’ bravery of Chris Woakes for coming out to bat with his arm in a sling - despite England falling to a dramatic six-run defeat to draw the series with India.
Needing 35 runs on the final day of the fifth Test to clinch a 3-1 series victory, the hosts fell agonisingly short at the Oval when Gus Atkinson was bowled by inspired India hero Mohammed Siraj.
Atkinson had shared a 10-run partnership for the final wicket with Woakes, who came to the crease despite dislocating his shoulder on the first day and was in clear pain as he ran between the wickets, although he did not have to face a ball.
‘It was unbelievable, but it was never going to be a question for him to go out there,’ said England captain Stokes, who missed the match with his own shoulder injury.
‘He was in a lot of discomfort running between the wickets, but he went out there to try and get his team over the line with a dislocated shoulder.
‘Coming off there, I said, “Great effort”, and he just shrugged his shoulder and was like, “I wouldn’t have done anything else”. It shows what it means to play for your country and to fight to win games.’
Ben Stokes hailed Chris Woakes from coming out to bat with a dislocated shoulder
The England captain said Woakes shrugged when he said to him 'great effort' after the match
England, however, ultimately fell short when Gus Atkinson was bowled by Mohammed Siraj
Asked whether the Woakes situation showed that injury substitutes are needed in Test cricket, Stokes replied: ‘I don’t see it being a thing. If someone gets injured, tough s***. Deal with it.’
Woakes was also praised by his victorious opponents, as India captain Shubman Gill added: ‘He was very, very brave. I didn't expect him to come out like that, batting with one hand, the other in the sweater. But good on him for showing that courage.’
England had looked set to complete their second-highest successful run chase of 374 when they raced to 301 for three on Sunday, with Harry Brook and Joe Root both hitting centuries. But they lost their final seven wickets for 66 runs, with Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue and Atkinson falling yesterday morning at a packed-out Oval.
Man of the match Siraj, who took three of the final four wickets to finish with five for 104, said: ‘When I woke up today, I thought I could do it. I downloaded a picture from Google saying, “Believe”. I feel amazing.’
Stokes added: ‘I’m bitterly disappointed we couldn’t get over the line here, but I’m incredibly proud of my team and everything they’ve thrown into it. We would have loved to come away with the series win, but it wasn’t meant to be. From a cricket fan's point of view, 2-2 is probably fair.
‘Myself being a massive advocate of the game of Test cricket, this series has been an unbelievable advert for it across the world. All the doubters saying it's dying a death, this series has said the opposite.’
Man of the match Siraj took three of the final four wickets to help India win the final Test
Stokes admitted his disappointment that England ultimately ended up drawing the series
Stokes conceded that dropping six catches in India’s second innings ‘cost’ England, while Brook bemoaned the extravagant shot which brought his downfall on Sunday.
‘I wish I didn't play that shot, but at the time I was very confident,’ admitted England’s player of the series. ‘If I got a quick 30 over the next two overs, then the game is done. I always try and take the game on. Obviously, I wish I was there at the end, but you can't write those things.’
England coach Brendan McCullum added: ‘It has been one of the all-time best Test matches. We are disappointed, but at the same time we have had a hell of a series.’
