England all-rounder Chris Woakes says that he’s excited to be part of the T20I squad that will face Sri Lanka and will look to use the opportunity to present his case for selection in the T20 World Cup squad.
ECB recently announced the squad for the three-match ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting later this month. The squad sees Chris Woakes return to the squad and if given the opportunity in T20Is, the all-rounder will feature in a T20I after almost six years.
Chris Woakes last played an international game in September last year. He, however, was part of England’s squad that toured Sri Lanka in January but was made to isolate for a week after his teammate Moeen Ali tested positive for COVID-19 after they arrived in the island nation.
ENG v SL 2021: England announce 16-man T20I squad, Chris Woakes returns to the side after 6 years
This ruled him out of the first Test match against Sri Lanka Galle and then later missed every game in winter.
Chris Woakes said that he is excited to be a part of the limited-overs squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka and will try to stake a claim in the squad. He added that he’ll try to use this opportunity to put his hand up for the T20 World Cup.
"I haven't been in this squad for a while and I look at this as an opportunity. It is great for me to be back amongst the squad. I don't take any squad selection for granted, I am certainly not just here to make up the numbers - if I get a go I will be trying to stake a claim.
“I also realize there are a few injuries knocking around but that doesn't take anything away from me being part of this England team and putting my hand up to be part of this World Cup - with two World Cups around the corner," ESPNCricinfo quoted Chris Woakes as saying.
Woakes said that it was frustrating for him to not play a single game during the winter season but he’s glad that he’s back with England’s squad and will look to make most of it.
"It all bubbles up to a really frustrating time. Not playing a single game all winter, after the summer I had, almost felt like a bit of a waste for me. Still great to be with the squad but you want to be playing cricket and making the most of your form when you're hot," he said.
Woakes recently featured in the IPL 2021. While talking about the same, the all-rounder said that after a frustrating winter season it was a great opportunity for him to learn and play cricket.
"I spent a lot of time away from home in that period and it had kind of taken its toll mentally. The IPL was very much a decision that I took on, it's on my shoulders, but I felt it was a great opportunity to learn and play some cricket after the winter I'd had,” he said.
While talking about missing the recently concluded two-Test series against New Zealand, Woakes suggested that a combination of tightly-packed schedules, bio-bubbles, and his need for some off-time dissuaded him from agreeing for the Test series.
Explaining his decision behind missing even the 2nd Test, Woakes said that it was a 'tricky situation' and the cons of going for it overweighed the pros.
IPL 2021: Chris Woakes willing to miss NZ Tests for IPL 14 to earn T20 World Cup spot
“Those two Tests versus New Zealand were put in the schedule quite late and I think the issue was as soon as getting out of isolation in London I'd have had to have a few days at home then play for Warwickshire to make myself available for any part of that Test series. Then there's the tricky side of Covid restrictions and getting back in that bubble.
“Once we'd made the decision it was never really an option to play the second Test match. You'd have had to be in the bubble from the start. It's a real tricky situation. I felt I needed a refresh and some time at home with the young family. I kind of put up the pros and cons of missing that two-match series,” he said.
Chris Woakes further said that he thought a break would do good to him in the long run. He admitted that team management and selectors know that he wants to be a part of England’s Test squad and hopefully he’ll get a run in the India series and will be fit and firing.
"I decided that little break would do me good in the long run. They certainly know I want to play Test cricket, don't get me wrong. I haven't played much red-ball cricket but they know I want to be a part of that Test squad and I believe they want me to be part of it so hopefully come that India series I'll be fit and firing and ready to play a big part of that," he concluded.
(ANI inputs)
