Woakes Confident in England’s Middle Order Despite Late Wickets
https://gty.im/98720757
England can still post a large total against West Indies at Edgbaston, Woakes said after losing some of the late wickets on the first day of the third Test.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, both openers for England, and nightwatchman Mark Wood were all out before the close of play with England on 38 for three in reply to West Indies 282. Crawley and Duckett were dismissed while going for aggressive shots. Chris Woakes agreed with the correspondent that their aggressive strategy did not pay off this time. But Woakes feels that the middle order of the English team can come good on the wicket which still looks like a good batting track. Joe Root and Ollie Pope, both of whom are not out on two and six respectively will resume on Saturday.
Woakes Praises West Indies, Highlights Atkinson’s:
‘Of course, you’d like to be going into the close with fewer wickets lost, so well done to the West Indies for taking three wickets in a difficult phase,’ added Woakes, a Warwickshire player who knows the ground well.
“We have always looked to be positive, the openers in particular look to attack the bowlers but it is still a very good batting wicket.”
Gus Atkinson, the fast bowler of the side, had a field day with the ball and bagged four wickets. He was unlucky to be just outside the list of players who have three five-wicket hauls in their first five Test innings, at 26. He now has 20 Test wickets, only six players have taken more in their first three tests. If, in the second innings, he scores five more, he will be on top of that list.
Finn and Woakes Applaud Atkinson’s Impressive Test Debut
Former England fast bowler Steven Finn said that Atkinson has a very good ability to deceive batsmen with his bounce and described him as a ‘special prospect’.
Woakes added that Atkinson has made Test cricket ‘look easy’ with his quick adjustment and skill showcase. “Credit to him, he has bowled well. He came in at Lord’s and did fantastically. He’s performed on flat wickets and can swing the ball with a good wobble seam. He’s got pace and uses short balls effectively. He looks like an all-round bowler and has started his Test career very well.”
England find themselves in a precarious position at the end of day one, despite a strong bowling performance from Gus Atkinson. The loss of early wickets, including both openers, has put pressure on the middle order. However, the pitch remains conducive to batting, and England will be hoping Joe Root and Ollie Pope can build a substantial partnership on day two.
For More Great Content
Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
