Ashes 2023: I was desperate to come back and perform – Chris Woakes after winning Player of the Series for England

England all-rounder Chris Woakes played only three Ashes Tests out of the five and walked away with the Player of the Series for his team. That goes to show the impact he had on the series since he came back into the team after a long hiatus.

Woakes scalped 19 wickets in three Test matches at an impressive average of 18.16, the best for any bowler in the series. Furthermore, he played a match-winning knock of 32 runs at Leeds, Headingley to take England to a three-wicket win and added 59 runs with Harry Brook.

Woakes was brilliant for the home team on the final day of the series as he started Australia’s slide. The right-arm pacer returned with impressive figures of 4-50 to play an instrumental role in England’s 49-run win at Kennington Oval, London on Monday. Woakes accounted for well-settled Usman Khawaja and David Warner to give a perfect start to the hosts. Subsequently, he also got the big wicket of Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc.

Woakes said he was desperate to return to England colors and perform for the national team. The right-hander also scored 79 runs in five innings at an average of 19.75 in the three Test matches he played.

The all-rounder from Warwickshire said in the post-match presentation, “It has been amazing few games and nice to come into the side and contribute. The belief was there even at 2-0 down to go on and win the series. Not been part of the team and squad for 12 months, so was desperate to get back and perform, You couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Woakes was delighted to play a key role in England’s comeback after they were 2-0 down in the series. The 34-year-old was right on the money with his line and length to reap rewards.

He concluded, “It is not easy to pick big scalps and that is the pleasing thing for me this series to pick the big wickets. Ashes is the pinnacle of test cricket and I am happy to contribute. When you have a ball change you hope it works for you but still have to put it in the land it in the right areas. We will see and leave it to captain Stokesy. I want to play as much cricket for England as possible. There are more and more cricket coming up with franchise cricket but you don’t get anything like Test cricket.”

Woakes will now be seen in action in the limited-overs series against New Zealand.