Joe Root reveals if Chris Woakes will come out to bat on Day 5

Former England captain and the current No.4 talismanic batter Joe Root has revealed that the injured Chris Woakes will come out to bat on the fifth and final day of the Test on Monday, August 4, if his services are required in the series-deciding day.

Root, who smashed yet another century on Day 4 of the Oval Test, concluded his innings on 105 runs in 152 balls with 12 fours to put his side in a commanding position before getting dismissed. He formed a 195-run game-changing partnership with Harry Brook (111) to reverse the team’s fortunes in the series-deciding game.

Notably, Woakes suffered a shoulder dislocation while trying to stop a boundary on Day 1 of the ongoing Test. After that incident, he has not come out to the field or to bowl. However, he was seen in the whites in the dressing room on the penultimate day of the Oval Test.

"He's all-in, like the rest of us. It's been that kind of series, where guys have had to put bodies on the line. Hopefully, it doesn't get to that. But he had some throwdowns in here [the indoor school] at one point, and he's ready if needed… He's desperate to do what it takes," Root said after the close of the fourth day’s play.

"I'm not sure. I've not seen him practice yet. You might get a better indication tomorrow if he has some throwdowns in the morning," he added.

"Clearly, he's in a huge amount of pain having done what he's done. It just shows, as we've seen from other guys in this series - [Rishabh] Pant batting with a broken foot, guys taking all sorts of blows here and there - but it means a huge amount to him. It just shows the character and the person that he's willing to put his body on the line like that for England, and hopefully - well, hopefully he doesn't have to, but if it does come to that - get us across the line and win us an incredible series," Root noted.

It’s worth noting that England now needs only 35 more runs to win the game and series by 3-1. Jamie Smith and all-rounder Jamie Overton are batting at the crease.

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