England captain Ben Stokes has sent a clear message to India ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. He confirmed that England will stand firm in any on-field confrontations,…
Christopher Roger Woakes was born on 2 March 1989 in Birmingham, West Midlands. He grew up in the suburb of Great Barr, where his passion for sports developed early. He attended Barr Beacon Language College in Walsall from 2000 to 2007, excelling in multiple disciplines. Cricket, however, stood out as his true calling. At just seven years old, he began playing at Four Oaks Saints Cricket Club, later representing Aston Manor and Walmley CC—clubs that refined his skills and instilled discipline.
His natural athleticism also saw him train as a winger with Walsall F.C., but by age 14, cricket had taken over completely. He idolized fast bowlers like Darren Gough and Glenn McGrath, and with unwavering family support, Woakes began climbing the youth ranks of Warwickshire County Cricket Club. His early years laid the foundation for a professional career that would later see him shine on the world stage.
Known by the nickname “The Wizard”, Woakes stands tall at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), showcasing a powerful all-round presence. He complements his right-arm fast-medium bowling with useful lower-order batting, often contributing crucial runs. Off the field, he immerses himself in a sporting lifestyle—enjoying football, golf, and snooker—and supports Aston Villa F.C.
Chris married Amie Louise Woakes on 10 February 2017, and the couple have three daughters: Laila (born July 2018), Evie (October 2020), and a third child. His father, Roger Woakes—a former Warwickshire player—passed away in May 2024, prompting Chris to take a break from cricket. He remains deeply close to his family and often credits their support for his resilience on the field.
Chris Woakes debuted for Warwickshire’s First-Class side in August 2006 against West Indies A at age 17. He led Warwickshire’s bowling in 2008, claiming 42 wickets at 20.57, and scored a memorable 131* against Hampshire in 2009 from number nine, forging a 222-run stand with Jonathan Trott. He reached his 200th first-class wicket in 2011. In domestic T20 franchise cricket, Woakes has played for Sydney Thunder, Birmingham Phoenix, Sharjah Warriors, and Welsh Fire.
Woakes debuted in T20Is on 12 January 2011 and in ODIs on 21 January 2011, both against Australia. His Test debut came on 21 August 2013 in the Ashes at The Oval. He has since become a pivotal England all-rounder, contributing to major honors like the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup . Known for his consistency at home, he took 137 wickets at 21.59 in England—but remains driven to improve his overseas performances.
| Format | Mat | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 59 | 2,008 | 137* | 26.42 | 182 | 6/17 | 28.90 |
| ODI | 122 | 1,524 | 95* | 23.81 | 173 | 6/45 | 30.01 |
| T20I | 33 | 147 | 37 | 16.33 | 31 | 3/4 | 26.51 |
| FC | 181 | 6,778 | 152* | 31.52 | 618 | 9/36 | 25.70 |
| T20 | 167 | 1,031 | 57* | 20.21 | 177 | 4/21 | 25.24 |
In the 2017 IPL auction, Chris Woakes joined Kolkata Knight Riders, claiming 17 wickets in 13 matches with a best of 3/6. He signed with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018, taking eight wickets from five games . He was unsold in 2019, but pulled out of the 2020 auction to prioritise England Test commitments . In 2021, he joined Delhi Capitals, making his debut in Match 2 . His IPL journey reflects strategic balancing between franchise success and national duty.
Woakes has maintained remarkable fitness throughout his career, though he occasionally battled joint and muscle strain—evident in back, knee, and thigh niggles . After his father’s death in May 2024, he stepped back from the ILT20, IPL, and England T20 World Cup selections. Yet by summer 2024, he returned strong at home—taking 24 Test wickets at 20.25—demonstrating both physical resilience and mental grit.
