England all-rounder Chris Woakes has disclosed the reason for his extended absence from professional cricket, sharing with fans the tragic news of his father’s death. Woakes had been away from the game for three months, during which he was part of the Punjab Kings’ squad in the Indian Premier League 2024.
Despite being bought for INR 4.20 Crore at the mini-auction in Dubai, Woakes did not play any matches for the team. Additionally, he was not selected for England’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.
In a heartfelt message on social media, Woakes explained his situation. “The last month has been the most challenging of my life when unfortunately my dad passed away at the beginning of May. I’ve spent the last few weeks with the people most important to me, my family. We’re all obviously grieving and trying to get through what is undoubtedly the hardest moments in our lives. It’s times like this that perspective is at its greatest,” wrote Woakes on his X account.
Woakes, 35, expressed his desire to return to professional cricket soon, hoping to play for Warwickshire and England again. “I will be back playing cricket for Warwickshire, who my Dad loved dearly when the time is right for me and my family. I know playing cricket for Warwickshire and England made my Dad incredibly proud. I look forward to doing that again in the near future,” he added.
— Chris Woakes (@chriswoakes) May 31, 2024
Chris Woakes played a key role for England throughout the years
Before his hiatus, Woakes’ last appearance was in the International League T20 tournament in the UAE, where he played for the Sharjah Warriors. During the tournament, he scored 47 runs and took nine wickets. His most recent game for England was during the T20I series against the West Indies in December 2023, where he had a less-than-stellar performance, scoring only seven runs and taking four wickets in four games.
Woakes also had a significant impact in England’s 2023 Ashes series against Australia. He was named Player of the Series after taking 19 wickets and scoring 79 runs across three matches, contributing to the 2-2 draw.
The Birmingham-born cricketer’s announcement provided insight into his recent absence and highlighted the personal challenges he has faced. Despite the difficulties, Woakes remains committed to returning to the sport and honoring his father’s memory by continuing his cricketing career.
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