2019 World Cup-winning pacer Chris Woakes has insisted that he is happy to remain England's unsung hero, saying he just wants to produce match-winning performances for his country across the formats.
After having impressed in the white-ball format, Woakes has been making a good impact in the Test cricket and even recently the bowling all-rounder was integral of England's Test series win over the West Indies.
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Woakes has been consistently producing impressive displays for England, but he was often unnoticed with the likes of Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Jofra Archer stealing all the spotlight and in fact, he took five wickets on the final day of the third Test in Manchester but Broad went on to claim headlines by claiming his 500th Test wicket and the latter yet again went under the radar.
However, the pacer has insisted that he “really don't mind” being away from the spotlight and even neither it really “bother him” by saying he’s “not one for being center of attention” as he is gearing up for the first Test against Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford on August 5.
Woakes told reporters, “I honestly really don't mind. I'm not one for being the center of attention. Don't get me wrong, I want to go out on the field and perform and I want to make match-winning performances for England but it really doesn't bother me if I'm first choice to write about or not, to be brutally honest.”
The 31-year-old has claimed 106 wickets from 35 Tests so far and feels he still has a lot to offer to England but it is unlikely that he can join compatriots Anderson and Broad in the 500 wickets elite club.
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He further explained, “My stats have been mentioned and they're very good in England, I want to keep working on those, keep improving on them and making them as good as they can be. At my age and where I am now at 31, it's unlikely that I'm going to go on and get 500 Test wickets like Jimmy and Broady but I still want to go on and get as many as I can individually.
I still feel like I can provide really good services to England for many more years to come so I'm happy with how it works and as long as I continue to be able to represent England then I'll be happy.”
With all their pacers fit to play, England is in a tough situation to pick their squad for the first Test against Pakistan while Woakes is yet to cement his place in the playing XI despite having a good record and consistent performances under his belt at home since there is an intense competition between the speedsters at the side.
He signed off by saying, “It's not an easy team to just be cemented in. My record in England is brilliant, I'm obviously pleased with that. I want to keep getting better and improving myself and every time I get the opportunity to play for England, whether it is home or away, I'm giving 110 percent and trying to do my best for the team.”
(With Sky Sports Inputs)
