Chris Woakes

BORN: 02/03/89, Birmingham

ROLE: Right-arm medium-fast; Right-hand bat

BEST TWENTY20 PERFORMANCE: 4-21 v Somerset Sabres at Taunton, 14/06/08

One of the rising stars of the English game, Woakes is a product of the Warwickshire Academy and represented his country with distinction at under 19 level before earning himself a call-up to the England Lions side earlier this season. A gifted swing bowler who lets the ball go at a lively pace and is likely to get quicker, Woakes has already claimed 118 wickets from just 39 first-class matches and will be one of the candidates to take the new ball alongside Neil Carter and Boyd Rankin in this season’s Friends Provident t20. Also an increasingly accomplished batsman with two first-class centuries under his belt, he has been earmarked as a future stalwart of Warwickshire’s middle-order and could even find himself rubbing shoulders with fellow Edgbaston veterans Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott in the England dressing room before too long.

Do you enjoy the Twenty20 format?
Yes, I love it

What does it take to be successful in Twenty20 cricket?
Being able to think on your feet and execute your plans and skills

What’s your go-to shot when you really need a boundary?
Straight over the top

What’s the most memorable Twenty20 match you’ve played in?
Beating a strong Somerset team at Taunton in 2008 and taking four-fer

Can you name three famous pirates?
Captain Hook, Jack Sparrow and…?

If you had a parrot, what would be the first phrase you would teach it?
Come on yooooouuuuuuu Beeeaaaaarrrrssss!!!

What would you call your pirate ship?
Shiver My Timbers

Do you get seasick?
No luckily

Who would you most want to be shipwrecked with?
Ricky Gervais (unbelievably hilarious!)

What would be your desert island discs?
John Mayer’s Battle Studies

What three items would go in your treasure chest?
An iphone, a ball and a compass!

Which celebrity would you like to make walk the plank?
Russell Brand