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Photograph: (Source: Hindustan Times)
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India and England will have a tight final morning at The Oval. India needs four wickets to tie the series, while the hosts need just 35 more runs to win. Despite suffering a dislocated shoulder, Chris Woakes has made himself available to bat on the last day of the fifth Test if needed, even though it was anticipated that India would need just nine wickets to bowl out England.
During the post-day press conference on Sunday evening, English hitter Joe Root acknowledged the decision. Woakes has demonstrated a tremendous desire to participate despite pain, according to Root. Root claims that Woakes has exceeded expectations in his dedication and has been willing to take chances for the squad.
Oval Test Day 5 Updates:
Woakes was seen in the England locker room wearing the whites during the last moments of Day 4. He will probably need surgery for the shoulder injury he sustained while fielding on Day 1. Nevertheless, Woakes is ready to battle the willow on Day 5 after not hitting in the first innings. For those who don't know, the England seamer is having trouble with what appears to be a shoulder dislocation. The 36-year-old prepared to bat at No. 11 if necessary by practising one-handed batting in the indoor school on Sunday and changing into his whites for the evening session.
Although Root said that he was unsure of how he would approach the matter, he made it obvious that Woakes was ready for either option based on how his body felt in the morning. Root did not confirm whether Woakes will bat right-handed or left-handed. When discussing the team's mindset, Root emphasised that getting the team over the finish line would be the first objective and stressed Woakes' readiness to assist England in any way he could.
Woakes is in a lot of agony, but he could pull off Rishabh Pant's heroics from the fourth Test, when the wicketkeeper-batter bravely walked out to bat despite breaking his foot, according to Root, who smashed his 39th Test century on Sunday. Despite his willingness to bat through pain, the right-handed batter thought that Woakes wouldn't be needed because the other batters would be able to finish the job.
Watch this space for more cricket news and updates.
