aChris Woakes played an instrumental role in helping England draw the 2023 Ashes series 2-2 against Australia.

After losing the first two Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s, the Three Lions were trailing by 2-0 and Woakes was included in the playing XI from the third Test match onwards at Headingley.

The seam-bowling all-rounder finished the campaign with 19 wickets at an average of 18.15, including a five-wicket haul in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Woakes also made handy contributions with the bat. He scored 32 not out in a tricky Headingley chase, which kick-started England's comeback. His all-round exploits earned him high praise and he deservedly won the Player-of-the-Series award for the hosts.

Veteran India spinner R Ashwin was also impressed with Chris Woakes’ performance and expressed surprise that the latter isn’t a regular feature in England’s Test XI.

“He (Chris Woakes) is someone who keeps getting better with every game he plays. I still can’t understand how he is still not a regular in this England Test XI. If he was born in any other country, barring injuries, he would have been one of the top three names in the playing XI,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

“I feel really jealous when I watch him play. He makes it look really easy. He is a natural athlete. If you look at the way he runs, you will feel as if someone trained him how to run a huddle. On the field, once he finishes his spell, he will not remain stiff at all. His bowling action is so natural and his run-up itself is so good, it makes you go, ‘wow’,” he added.

Ashwin feels Woakes should get a standard spot in the playing XI now that Stuart Broad has retired.

“I don’t think any fast bowler, or be it any bowler, will get close to 600 Test wickets in the future generation. What an extraordinary career. Both Broad and Anderson have been great servants of English cricket. (Stuart) Broad’s retirement will mean Chris Woakes will get a standard slot in the playing XI,” he opined.