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Whirlwind Woakes makes case to replace Stokes
- Updated: May 23, 2016
Warwickshire 313 (Weighell 4-97) and 15 for 2 lead Durham 190 (Woakes 9-36) by 138 runsScorecard
When you replace Ben Stokes in an England Test side, you are not just replacing a fine allrounder, but must feel as if you are stepping in for a force of nature. Every step Stokes takes is a story in the making; every moment can become an act of heroism or occasionally one of folly. Here is a player who makes headlines happen. Further information about his anticipated knee operation will be watched with trepidation in cricketing households throughout the land.
Chris Woakes is a pro’s pro, too unassuming to attract a rush of headlines, although on this occasion he would deserve to be buried in them. Timing is everything and at Edgbaston, hours after his emergency call up to replace Stokes in the second Test, he justified his selection in emphatic style. A career-best 9 for 36 against Durham in the most destructive display of his career was an ideal send-off as he prepared to head north to Chester-le-Street.
Woakes briefly was also a force of nature, swinging the ball with relentless accuracy. There was an unexpectedly severe tornado in Birmingham in 2005 and here was another one as rhythm fell upon him and he tore in, utterly attuned to his task.
“I wouldn’t say I felt in great rhythm with the new ball but after lunch I got the wicket of Mark Stoneman and after that felt really good – as good as I have all year,” he said. “It’s amazing when you are in rhythm like that you don’t really think about anything. I’m not sure I have ever bowled as well as that.
“England was obviously in the back of my mind and going into the game you do feel a little bit of added pressure to prove yourself but I am always desperate to do well in a Warwickshire shirt.”
Woakes is the sort of talented, unostentatious cricketer whose career has played out without the glare of attention. He would make an excellent spy, unobtrusively carrying our surveillance, gabardine collar turned up, nobody noticing him …
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