Key points
- Out of sling and regaining movement after two weeks
- Focusing on rehab, hoping to avoid surgery: Woakes
- Injured during final Test against India at The Oval
ISLAMABAD: England fast bowler Chris Woakes has provided a positive update on his recovery from a dislocated shoulder sustained during the final Test against India.
Following a gruelling Test series against India, England now turns their attention to the Ashes Down Under later this year.
A positive update from England quick Chris Woakes as he plots a potential return to action during the Ashes later this year 👀#AUSvENG | #WTC27
More 👉 https://t.co/LPzplU3L7E pic.twitter.com/gDnlysCHox
— ICC (@ICC) August 15, 2025
Woakes, who injured his shoulder while fielding in the fifth Test earlier this month, revealed that his rehabilitation is progressing better than anticipated.
Speaking to the media at The Hundred, Woakes appeared without an arm sling and said:
“Certainly good news for me. That’s the best way to look at it.”
“Obviously, I’m out of the sling now and feel like I can move it a lot better two weeks on, which is encouraging.
Avoiding surgery
“Once you regain some movement, it starts to feel a bit more normal, but there’s still a long way to go.
“I’m going to focus on rehab and get it as strong as possible. Ideally, I want to avoid surgery for now, but we’ll see how it goes and hopefully get it strong again.”
Woakes dislocated his shoulder on the opening day of the series-deciding Test at The Oval.
Although ruled out for the rest of the match, he came out to bat on the tense final morning with his left arm in a sling, as England chased a series-winning victory but narrowly lost by six runs.
Woakes’ encouraging update is a boost for England ahead of their five-Test Ashes series against fierce rivals Australia, starting on 21 November.
