{
  "id": 14961581,
  "title": "Woakes on the famous Oval Test versus India: “I wish I had faced a ball.”",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/woakes-on-the-famous-oval-test-versus-india-i-wish-i-had-faced-a-ball",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T13:13:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/woakes-on-the-famous-oval-test-versus-india-i-wish-i-had-faced-a-ball-10924829/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Oval Test between India and England was decided by a narrow margin of six runs. However, the most memorable moment of the match was Chris Woakes batting with a dislocated shoulder and wearing a sling on his arm. He never faced a ball and remained unbeaten on zero. Despite his injury, Woakes wished he had faced at least one delivery. \"In a selfish way, I didn't want my wicket to be the deciding one,\" he told The Guardian. England needed just 17 more runs to clinch the game and the series when Woakes took guard, surprising spectators. The 33-year-old admitted he was nervous about his decision to come to the crease. \"I don't think I've ever been as nervous because I was going into the unknown,\" he admitted. \"Facing a 90mph ball from a bowler can hurt even when you're batting correctly. It was a challenge to build up the courage to face that.\" India's seamers, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, were especially skilled and could have caused trouble. Woakes was determined to face the bowlers, knowing the importance of the moment in an international match. He said, \"In the dog-eat-dog world of international cricket, you have to wear a few injuries. We got the chase down to seven, courtesy of Gus Atkinson's excellent efforts.\" Although the moment was both exhilarating and heartbreaking, Woakes walked out to bat in front of a full house and received a standing ovation. He admitted that while it was an amazing experience, it was also sad to leave the team handicapped, playing 10 v 11. The match ended with England losing, but Woakes remained unbeaten in spirit.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Chris Woakes batted with dislocated shoulder and sling during Oval Test.",
    "Woakes wished he had faced at least one ball despite injury.",
    "England lost match but Woakes remained unbeaten in spirit."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}