Chris Woakes to play 50th Test this week

Chris Woakes is in line to play his 50th Test for England.

matc

2024-07-16T18:12:38.000Z

The all-rounder has been named in the starting XI for the second Rothesay Men's Test match against the West Indies at Trent Bridge on Thursday, 18 July.

With James Anderson retiring, England have opted for the return of Durham pacer Mark Wood. That leads the 35-year old to become the new older statesman.

"It makes me feel incredibly old," Woakes said in a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo. "Naturally, you're going to see a lot more new players being given opportunities to move [England] forward. But I'll try and give 100%, and try and do my role as well as I can for the team.

Come Thursday, Woakes will become the 69th player to reach a half-century of Tests for the Three Lions, joining Bears legends Dennis Amiss and MJK Smith on the same number.

Filtering the 69 to bowlers with over 50 wickets - Woakes currently has 150 - he will become the 30th.

The boyhood Warwickshire product will also be the seventh Bear to accrue the milestone alongside Ian Bell (118), Bob Willis (90), Moeen Ali (68), Ashley Giles (54), Jonathan Trott (52), Amiss and Smith.

To date, the right-armer has five 5-fers with 11/102 best match figures. As a valuable middle-order batter, the right-hander has 1,777 runs with one century.

"Once you get back out there and particularly putting on the England whites, it reminds you how lucky we are to do what we do," the Aston Manor junior added.

"Seeing Jimmy this week, you know it doesn't last forever and you have to try and enjoy every moment that you're a part of this team. My approach at the minute is to put things in perspective, and just be happy to be here and try and give 110%."

There will be joyous celebrations at Trent Bridge this week with plenty more the week after.

Hopefully his 51st appearance, Woakes may take the new ball on the first morning at Edgbaston, with the final and third Test starting on Friday 26 July.