BAZBALLER WOAKES

McCullum bowled over by Chris

- NEIL MOXLEY

BRENDON McCULLUM hailed Chris Woakes as a “remarkable” cricketer but stopped short of guaranteeing the bowler a place on this winter’s Test tours to Pakistan and New Zealand.

The Warwickshire all-rounder roared back into the series after a slow start at Lord’s to make two huge contributions at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston as England swept the series with West Indies 3-0.

Woakes took time out of the game earlier this summer following the death of his father.

But skipper Ben Stokes showed huge faith in the 35-year-old by throwing him the new ball once Jimmy Anderson had retired.

The right-armer responded by taking six wickets at Trent Bridge and four at Edgbaston bolstered by 111 runs across three innings at vital times which earned a public pat on the back from the coach.