Chris Woakes weighs rehab gamble to be fit for Ashes after shoulder blow

New Delhi: England all-rounder Chris Woakes says he may opt for rehabilitation over surgery on his shoulder injury, despite the risk of a recurrence, in a bid to be fit for the Ashes later this year.

The 36-year-old sustained a suspected dislocated shoulder on the opening day of England’s fifth-Test defeat to India at The Oval. Although ruled out for the rest of the match, Woakes returned to bat at number 11 with his left arm in a sling, as England chased a series-clinching win on a tense final morning. They ultimately fell six runs short, with the series ending 2-2.

“I’m waiting to see what the extent of the damage is but I think the options will be to have surgery or to go down a rehab route and try and get it as strong as possible,” Woakes told BBC Sport.

“I suppose naturally with that there will be a chance of a reoccurrence, but I suppose that could be a risk that you’re just willing to take sort of thing.

“From what I’ve heard from physios and specialists is that the rehab of a surgery option would be closer to four months or three to four months. That’s obviously touching on the Ashes and Australia so it makes it tricky.

“From a rehab point of view you can probably get it strong again within eight weeks. So that could be an option, but again obviously still waiting to get the full report on it.” IANS

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