It was a fair decision: Woakes on being left out of India Test

Pacer Chris Woakes conceded that England took a fair call by leaving him out of the Test series against India given his record in the subcontinent The 34yearold was not included in Englands 16member squad for the fivematch Test series starting January 25 in Hyderabad and Woakes said he was at ease with the decisionIts mixed emotions Woakes was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo Whenever theres a Test squad announcement youre always desperate to be in it But at the same time at my age with my away record particularly in the subcontinent I feel like its a fair decision he addedAlso Read Im not in any hurry to make any decisions Smith on his retirement from international cricketWoakes has done well in home conditions boasting a bowling average of 2188 but it balloons to 5188 overseas In the three Tests in India in 2016 Woakes managed only three wickets at a cost of 813We had conversations about where my best cricket is likely to be played moving forward and naturally in Test cricket it looks likely to be at homeIt doesnt mean to say that when theres not subcontinent tours that I wont be available But I feel at ease with the decision if that makes sense The communication was good I know where I stand so its fine by meThe last time Woakes played an away Test series it didnt go so well In the absence of veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad Woakes had been promoted to the role of an opener But he could manage only five scalps in three Tests at an average of 4880Also ReadIN PHOTOS Rishabh Pant likely to lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024I tried to bowl my heart out and really struggled with my body My knee was sore at the time I ended up having surgery after that and I missed six months of cricket Woakes feels missing the tour of India could help extend his careerI wouldnt want that to be the same case going to India bowling on tracks which are unresponsive to my type of bowling slamming the front knee down at 34 is not really ideal when I want to play a lot of whiteball cricket moving forwardIts different when thats just your sole focus but when you want to play all forms it makes it a wise decisionVaughan suprised by Woakes omissionFormer England skipper Michal Vaughan believes the allrounder deserved to be part of the squadIt tells you England think he cant bowl in India its as simple as that Im staggered by it really Vaughan told foxsportscomauThat youve got a player that came into the Ashes with Mark Wood and they were 20 down against Australia in three Test matches To think a few months later hes left out his allround ability he bats well fields well and I guess they just feel he has been in those conditions before in the past and hes not going to have an impactWoakes had played a vital role as England fought back from 02 to draw the Ashes 22 earlier this year The pacer was adjudged the player of the series during the Ashes earlier this yearThey are clearly thinking its going to be a fivematch series where spin is going to play a prominent partI think England are thinking they are probably only going to play two seam bowlers and with that Woakes is not the kind of seamer they are going to require in Indian conditionsBut it still does surprise me youve got a player who was man of the series in the Ashes against the best team in the world that are Australia and a few months down the line he doesnt even warrant a place in the squadEven if its just two Test matches holding an end and bowling dots maybe getting some reverse swing and then offering a little with the bat It does surprise meThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever