BATTING IN SLING..THAT'S JUST NOT CRICKET

KO'd Woakes in brave but futile bid

- BY MIKE WALTERS

BEN STOKES hailed lionheart Chris Woakes' "unbelievable" courage after England's sixrun defeat in a cliffhanger for the ages.

Dislocated left shoulder concealed in a sling beneath his sweater, Woakes walked out to bat at 357-9 with England needing 17 to win the final Test against India at The Oval.

He did not need to face a ball as last-wicket partner Gus Atkinson farmed the strike and reduced the deficit to a single hit.

But when Atkinson lost his off stump to the heroic Mohammed Siraj, it sealed India's narrowest Test triumph.

And after they deservedly levelled the series at two apiece, all-time great Sachin Tendulkar led the cheers from afar.