Woakes reflects ten years on from England v Pakistan at Edgbaston

Chris Woakes was front and centre of the match day programme ten years ago when Pakistan last visited Edgbaston Stadium to play England in a Test match.

2026-09-04T16:00+01:00

Tickets for the Final Chapter of the Test summer at Edgbaston are still available.

The all-rounder, who represented his country 62 times in five-day cricket before retiring from international cricket last summer, will be watching from afar when the two teams meet again in Birmingham from Wednesday 9 September, and has fond memories of his first England Test at his home stadium.

“It felt special playing in front of friends and family,” he said. “It was the first Test match that I got to play here at Edgbaston.

“It was a great game. I know we had our backs against the wall. I think we were about 100 behind on first innings but managed to turn them over and win the Test match.

“It was a pretty cool experience to see the Hollies rocking and get my first taste of Test cricket at Edgbaston.”

In 2016 Woakes was a relative newcomer to Test cricket, with the game at his home ground marking his 11th Test cap.

Woakes would take five wickets in the match, with England overturning a 103-run deficit after the first innings to earn a 141-win victory by its conclusion.

That result in the Third Test of the four-Test series would see England lead 2-1, before Pakistan squared the series with a ten-wicket win in the final game.

“I remember being firmly against it that game, and to come back from behind and win against a good team was a very nice feeling.

“Pakistan have a great following in the UK, particularly here in Birmingham. It creates a great atmosphere. They’re very passionate about their cricket and their team. They bring a lot of noise, and it’s great for us out on the field.”

That Test against Pakistan ten years ago would be the first of four Test’s played by Woakes at The People’s Home of Cricket.

In those four Tests, Woakes took 15 wickets, doing so in front of an atmosphere that he would compare to any other in world cricket.

“It’s a biased view from my point of view, but it brings a party atmosphere. As an England team, the fans are really behind you here and act as your 12th man.

“I know the players love coming here. The facilities are great, the surface usually produces a good game of cricket, and the fans are in full voice and they’re here for a good time.

“They obviously enjoy their cricket but they also bring a party atmosphere and that everyone is here to enjoy themselves. Particularly at the weekends, it can be pretty lively.”