The stuff of legend, Woakes walked down the steps and into folklore

FIRST, the woke stuff. Of course, he should not have been allowed to go into a Test match arena with only one functioning arm and clearly in pain every time he had to run.

- BY ANDY DUNN Chief Sports Writer

Now, the Woakes stuff. As sporting images go, they cannot come much more iconic than an England No.11 walking out to bat one-handed - his wrong hand - with the game and Test summer on the line.

Chris Woakes, the stuff of legend, walking down The Oval steps and into folklore. Never mind that he did not face a ball, every step between the wickets put him in agony but put England a step closer to what would have been a remarkable victory.

They fell short in the end but Woakes (top) will forever stand tall in the sport.

But as utterly dramatic as the Woakes scenario was, it should not dilute the credit due to an Indian team that made this series so compelling.