A SHOULDER TO CRY OVER

Late Woakes injury could be very costly for England

- By Mike Walters

UNDER brooding skies and prying floodlights, Chris Woakes’ shoulder injury could prove more damaging than England can afford.

Chasing Karun Nair’s off-drive to the boundary, Woakes fell awkwardly as he toppled over the cushions and was helped off, in manifest pain, with his left arm in a makeshift sling.

The evacuation of their only bowler to appear in all five Tests of a punishing summer — and with more wickets than the rest of the attack put together — has England squarely on the back foot.

Until Woakes’ injury shortly before 7pm on a hokey-cokey day extended by rain — on, off, on, off — England might have been pleased to restrict India to 204-6 in the final Test of the series at The Oval.

But after skipper Ben Stokes’ withdrawal due to another injured shoulder 24 hours earlier, the loss of Woakes felt like a setback too far.

With India on 153-6, England had been on course to make relatively short work of the tourists.

But even before Woakes’ painful exit, in between the gems there was too much compost.

‘And on a green pitch you suspect Australia would have rolled over India for 140.

This was England’s second-string attack, many of them virtual strangers to a red ball this summer.