Fitness permitting, Woakes is a guaranteed selection for England’s defence of the 50-over World Cup in India later this year. But, speaking at a #Funds4Runs session organised by LV= Insurance at Stockport Georgians Cricket Club, he said he would be “amazed” if he played another ODI after that tournament.
“I would be amazed if I played 50-over cricket beyond the World Cup,” Woakes said. “It’ll be hard in India but we have a great team and squad that could hopefully do something special. At the end of that, you map out what the future might look like as an all-format player, and the next cycle: I certainly won’t be playing ODI cricket at 38-39 years of age.”
Woakes pulled up “extremely sore” after the Headingley Test, which reminded him “how hard Test cricket is on the body” following a 15-month gap between appearances. But he has retained his spot in England’s team for Wednesday’s Test at Emirates Old Trafford, and is confident he will be able to overcome a short turnaround to play at The Oval if selected.
“I’ve not been picked yet, and I’d never say never; never say no,” Woakes said about the prospect of travelling to India. “I don’t know if I’d be selected on a tour like that: my away record speaks for itself. I’ve genuinely not thought about it, and there is a lot to come before that.”
When asked if he would accept never playing another Test overseas if it meant playing another two home summers, Woakes said: “I would be happy with that, yeah, for a few different reasons. As much as I’d love to go to India and take 30 wickets in the series, it’s highly unlikely. You get to my age and start thinking, ‘How can I prolong my career?'”
“In the immediate future, I’m trying to play as much as I can,” he said. “[But] it’s common knowledge that you get to this sort of stage in your career and you also want to look after yourself financially. I don’t think any players should be begrudged for that.
“If my career finished tomorrow, then I’d still be happy with how it’s gone. I’d snatch your hand off for what I’ve achieved and the amount I’ve played for England.”
