The 35-year-old all-rounder is now essentially the most experienced bowler within the England set-up.
Chris Woakes has opened up the potential for leading the attack in a single last Ashes tour as he prepares to take James Anderson’s mantle as England’s senior bowler.
Because the dust begins to decide on a protracted goodbye for the country’s record wicket-taker, Woakes is eyeing his milestone fiftieth cap in next week’s second Test against the West Indies.
Since his debut in 2013, Woakes has often played second fiddle to the wicket-taking juggernaut that was the Anderson-Stuart Broad double act, but now he has been trusted to oversee the transition to a brand new era.
The query is how long that role extends. The disparity between Woakes’ statistics at home and on the road are well-known – he averages 22.04 in English conditions in comparison with 51.88 overseas – and it had long been assumed that the following tour of Australia within the winter of 2025 can be a bridge too far for the 35-year-old.
A part of the rationale for Anderson’s enforced departure was Ben Stokes’ motivation to rebuild a bowling group that might go Down Under and win but, as Woakes begins work as England’s most experienced bowler, he shouldn’t be putting limits on how long – or how far – the job will take him.
“I believe I just don’t rule anything out nowadays,” he said.
“It might be hard for me to simply stand here and say I’ll be the opening bowler within the Ashes because obviously my away record isn’t pretty much as good as at home.
“But at the identical time, I’ve checked out Stuart and Jimmy evolve as they’ve got older and I still hope that I can potentially do the identical.
“Seeing Jimmy last week, even though it’s lasted for a very long time for him, it doesn’t last without end. You might have to try and revel in every moment that you just’re an element of this team and lucky enough to placed on the three lions.
“Throughout my England profession I’ve at all times checked out the very next event, the very next game, the very next series and attempting to be in the perfect shape possible for that.
“Each time I am going on the market I’ll try to give 100 per cent and take a look at and do my role in addition to I can for the team.”
Anderson might be readily available as a quick bowling mentor over the approaching weeks – and possibly in a more everlasting position after that – because the 41-year-old continues to play a job for the team.
He could also be dishing out wisdom from the dressing room slightly than the sphere but for the likes of Gus Atkinson, who took a remarkable 12-wicket haul on debut at Lord’s, and the uncapped Dillon Pennington who hopes to get the nod this week, he ought to be a priceless asset.
And no one appreciates that higher than Woakes.
“I feel very fortunate to have bowled with England’s best ever. The teachings and little nuggets that I’ve learned from him across the years has actually made me a greater player,” he said.
“I believe he’ll be superb in that recent role as well, not only for the summer but hopefully moving forwards. He’s at all times been there at mid-off giving little words of recommendation.
“He assesses conditions and pitches higher than anyone I’ve seen. The way in which he talks about what deliveries are working on the surface so early on is just incredible, really. He’s the perfect at doing that.”
