Woakes plans to skip surgery to play Ashes

• Woakes opts for rehab over surgery for shoulder injury sustained in India test.
• Rehab offers faster recovery, aiming for Ashes despite re-injury risk.
• Woakes batted injured in final test, but India won, drawing the series.

England all-rounder Chris Woakes has opted for rehabilitation over surgery to recover from the shoulder injury he sustained during last week’s fifth test loss to India. Woakes, 36, is awaiting scan results

after possibly dislocating his shoulder on the first day of the test at The Oval, where he landed awkwardly while trying to save a boundary.

Depending on the severity of the injury, he might choose surgery or rehabilitation to strengthen the shoulder. The first Ashes test is scheduled to start in Perth on November 21.

“I suppose there will be a chance of a re-occurrence, but that could be a risk that you’re just willing to take,” Woakes told BBC Sport on Friday. “From what I’ve heard from physios and specialists, the rehab after surgery would take about three to four months. That’s obviously close to the Ashes and Australia, so it makes it tricky. From a rehab perspective, you can probably get it strong again within eight weeks. So that could be an option, but we’re still waiting to get the full report on it.”

Despite being ruled out for the remainder of the fifth test, Woakes returned to bat on the final morning with his left arm in a sling as England sought a series win. Entering at number 11 with 17 runs still needed, he did not face a ball but managed to run four before Gus Atkinson was bowled, allowing India to secure a six-run victory and level the series 2-2 on Monday.

Woakes received praise for his bravery, though he downplayed it, saying anyone else in the dressing room would have done the same. “In my eyes, it was just business as usual. In that moment, it was about going out there and trying to find a way with Gus at the other end to get us over the line,” he added. “Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but I’m grateful and thankful that I put up the fight and tried to do it for the team.”

(With Reuters inputs)