England all-rounder Chris Woakes is weighing his options to have rehabilitation rather than surgery to repair his injured shoulder, with a view to being available for the Ashes series in Australia this autumn.
The 36-year-old suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder on day one of the fifth Test against India at The Oval and is waiting for the results of a scan. In spite of the injury, Woakes demonstrated great grit by coming out to bat with his arm in a sling on the important final morning, scoring four runs in a last-wicket stand with Gus Atkinson before England lost out on a narrow six-run margin. The series was drawn 2-2.
Discussing with BBC Sport, Woakes confirmed surgery and rehab are still on the table. "I'm waiting to see how big the damage is but I think the choices will be to have surgery or go along a rehab path and try and make it as good as possible," he added.
He had admitted the risks, stating, "Of course with that there is going to be a possibility of a reoccurrence, but perhaps that is one of those risks you are just prepared to take. Rehab for surgery would be three or four months — that's bordering on the Ashes — while with rehab you can possibly make it strong once more in eight weeks."
The Ashes series starts on 21 November in Perth, and Woakes is still keen to play. His fight to continue batting despite the injury received praise, although he downplayed the accolades: "In my eyes it was never a question. Anyone else in that dressing room would have done the same. You do what's best for your team."
Although Woakes considers his toughness to be business-as-usual, his readiness to risk taking his fitness on the chin is testament to how much the Ashes means to one of England's most seasoned campaigners.
Read also| Virat Kohli Resumes Training in London, Expresses Gratitude to GT’s Assistant Coach
