Chris Woakes is currently playing in a T20I series in Bangladesh.
England all-rounder Chris Woakes revealed the real reason behind pulling out of the IPL 2023 auction. He is currently playing in a three-match T20I series in Bangladesh.
Woakes said that the transition from T20 to Test cricket is quite hard, and that’s why he decided against taking part in the upcoming IPL 2023. The 34-year-old pacer stressed that he withdrew his name from the auction with an aim to make his case stronger for the Ashes in 2023.
Chris Woakes was quoted as saying by Daily Mail: “There were a lot of factors. One, my body whenever I have come back from the IPL before, I don't feel I have come back in the best shape going into a Test summer. For me personally that jump from T20 to Test cricket is quite a big jump.”
He added, “I have always found that transition quite hard. I haven't played Test cricket for a year, so I feel like I would need some overs under my belt to have the chance to knock on the door for selection in what is a tough team to get back into at the minute. That is a big part of it.”
However, Woakes admitted that it is tough to break into England’s Test side, but he wants to be part of England's Test squad for the upcoming Ashes series, starting on June 16.
He signed off by saying, “I would love to be a part of it and I still feel my record in England stands up against anyone's. If I can get myself 'red-ball fit' and firing and bowling well, I'd like to think I'd be in the mix’. But it's a tough side to get into and there are guys bowling extremely well. I recognise that and have an opportunity at the start of the season to put in some performances.”