Chris Woakes Reflects On Horror Shoulder Injury During Oval Test

English cricket hero Chris Woakes has opened up about the “horrific” dislocated shoulder he sustained at The Oval recalling how his arm “was just hanging there” and the painful process of the medical team putting it back in place.

August 7, 2025: England’s courageous all-rounder Chris Woakes has opened up about the horrific details of the dislocated shoulder he sustained during the final Test against India at The Oval.

In a match that saw the hosts fall just six runs short of a series victory, Woakes earned a standing ovation from the crowd for his selfless act of walking out to bat with his arm in a sling.

In a recent interview, the pacer revealed the moment of the injury, explaining that his hand slipped on the wet outfield, and his full body weight went through his shoulder. “The pain came on pretty quickly and my arm was just hanging there. It was grim and my thoughts were racing. ‘Is it game over? Is it career done?’ It was a horrible place to be,” he recalled.

Woakes lauded the medical team for their “impeccable” work in a process he described as “excruciating.” He recounted how his pectoral muscle spasmed, rejecting the initial attempt to pop the shoulder back into its socket. “That was horrendous. Another 10 minutes or so, with her knee in my armpit, there was another ‘clunk’ and it was back in properly,” he added.

Despite the immense pain, Woakes said he never considered not batting for his team, underscoring his belief that in a tight game, “every run” counts.