Reflecting on his 20th season as a professional cricketer during a rainy October afternoon at Edgbaston, Chris Woakes recalled the guidance that shaped his long career. The advice from his father, urging him to always remain true to himself, provided a foundation through the challenges of top-level sport. According to o n a rainy October afternoon, after his 20th season as a professional cricketer, Chris Woakes sits down at Edgbaston’s indoor nets and thinks of the advice that helped him when he was 17 and about to start a career in this consuming sport. “The words came from my parents, particularly my dad, and it was to always be myself,” he, In his thoughtful way.
Woakes recently celebrated his third County Championship title with Warwickshire. Across his career, he represented England in 62 Test matches, claiming 192 wickets and scoring 2,034 runs. He also secured two World Cups, working under diverse coaches ranging from Andy Flower to Brendon McCullum and playing alongside various captains. Woakes describes the harsh way he was soon jettisoned by England.
Throughout a tumultuous period for English cricket, Woakes maintained a steady presence. He noted that brief attempts to alter his character backfired early on, reinforcing that his natural approach was the right path. Although opponents sometimes viewed him as fierce rather than pleasant, he emphasized the necessity of fierce competitiveness once crossing the boundary line. Woakes has been a positive and steadying presence in a tumultuous time for English cricket. “There were a couple of occasions where I stepped outside my character and tried to be something else and it backfired. You need to find a way to compete and win.”, once you cross the line. Not many teams win from that position. How did he feel as he stepped on to the field? “I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous because I was going into the unknown. Which was never going to look pretty or be great, i was going to bat with one arm. Because in international arena it’s dog eat dog, was he scared? “Absolutely. So I was going to have to wear a few, it would be stumps or head. Your brain naturally tells you: ‘I don’t want to do this. Rob probably had bigger fish to fry at that time.
His new autobiography, The Wizard, written alongside Ali Martin, revisits his career highlights and the dramatic conclusion of his Test tenure. That final chapter took place last August at the Oval, where Woakes walked out at No 11 with a severely damaged left arm in a sling, attempting to help England secure a 3-1 series victory against India. The Wizard, his fine new autobiography, has been written with Ali Martin, who captures Woakes’s voice expertly while providing trenchant insights into the contrasting eras that span his long career. The pain became excruciating when he tried to run and he knew India’s bowlers would show no mercy at the climax of a riveting series.
Walking down the stairs at the Oval 12 years after his Test debut, Woakes prioritized the team despite a dislocated shoulder that restricted him to one-handed batting. He described the moment as simultaneously amazing and sad, marked by a standing ovation from a packed venue alongside the acute agony of his injury. But it’s a reductive view that obscures the skill and tenacity that defines him. “Ask some batters over the years and I’m sure they said: ‘He isn’t that nice, woakes is routinely described as the nicest man in cricket. “It was amazing to go out like that but, in another way, quite sad,” he says. “To walk out in front of a full house, and get a standing ovation, was maybe meant to be my farewell. But there’s no worse feeling, especially as a bowler, when you leave the team handicapped: 10 v 11, i had the agony of the shoulder. He’s a busy man and moved on to different things.
Stepping onto the field under those circumstances brought unprecedented nervousness and fear. Confronted with the prospect of facing 90mph bowling with a single hand, his instincts urged him away, yet he pushed forward alongside Gus Atkinson before Atkinson was ultimately bowled.
Following his playing days, Woakes opened up about the manner in which he was phased out by England. While accepting his omission from the previous year’s Ashes tour and the termination of his contract, he expressed deep hurt when England team director Rob Key announced publicly that Woakes was no longer in their plans. But I had quite a bit of dog in me which I didn’t show verbally, i’m relatively reserved. Has he discussed the matter with Key? “We’ve barely spoken since.
Though hurt that the decision was shared with the press prior to any direct private conversation, Woakes maintained that he still holds a respectful relationship with Key. He acknowledged that professional sport moves quickly and that team directors often face pressing demands elsewhere. It was a challenge to build up the courage to face that.”.
The Ashes series proved disastrous for England, featuring a heavy defeat by Australia complicated by off-field incidents involving Harry Brook and Ben Duckett. Those pressures ultimately led to changes in leadership, with McCullum stepping away from the Test setup while retaining white-ball responsibilities.
Discussing Ben Stokes stepping down, Woakes praised his former captain’s contributions and noted the heavy toll exacted by the demanding tour. When Stokes announced his departure from the team during a quiet day at Trent Bridge, Woakes was on hand in the commentary box to acknowledge his teammate’s remarkable career.
Outside of playing, Woakes maintained a disciplined stance regarding alcohol. He enjoyed occasional social drinks following major fixtures, but completely abstained during preparations for the triumphant 2019 World Cup campaign. He enjoys a few beers after a big match but he is smart about his consumption and before the victorious 2019 World Cup he gave up drinking as part of his preparation for the sweetest moment of his career.
