Woakes Rueful After Edgbaston Edges: 'Could Have Had India 30 for 3'

Woakes Laments Close Calls as India Capitalizes on Edgbaston Opener

Chris Woakes, visibly frustrated, questioned a third umpire decision that could have dramatically altered the course of the first day's play at Edgbaston. The incident occurred in the 11th over when Woakes believed he had secured his second wicket, trapping Karun Nair with a ball that nipped back sharply. Despite the impact being outside off-stump, Nair had not offered a shot, leading Woakes to believe the decision should have been overturned upon review. Ben Stokes was convinced enough to take the review upstairs.

Woakes picked up a couple of wickets for England on the opening day. © Getty

However, the replay indicated the ball had only marginally clipped the top of the off-stump, resulting in the on-field umpire's original decision being upheld. Woakes later stated that he feels when a batter doesn't offer a shot, the benefit of the doubt should go to the bowler.

"I need to be careful: I've had some [decisions] go my way over the years," Woakes admitted during the post-day press conference. "In general, DRS has been good for the game. A lot more right decisions are given [than before]. The only thing I would like to come in is that if a batsman decides to leave the ball and it's still hitting the stumps, I think that should be out - regardless if it's clipping or not."

Prior to this, Yashasvi Jaiswal also benefited from a similar marginal call that was reviewed. Woakes' reaction, throwing his hands up, reflected more the team's misfortune than disagreement with the decision. Woakes struck Jaiswal on the front pad, pitching in line, prompting a review after some deliberation by Stokes. Replays again showed the ball narrowly brushing the top of the leg-stump.

"We could have easily had them 30 for 3," Woakes lamented, referring to the two close calls. "It was a pretty frustrating morning, really. Obviously emotions run high when you are desperate to do well for the team, do well for yourself and it would've been nice... had those decisions gone our way, the day looks completely different, but that is Test cricket and we move on."

Despite overcast conditions at Edgbaston, the day largely favored the batsmen, with India reaching 310/5 at the close, highlighted by Shubman Gill's seventh Test century.

Woakes' strategy of bowling from wide of the crease, while unsuccessful against Nair, proved effective against Nitish Reddy. The all-rounder, included to bolster India's batting, shouldered arms to a delivery that pitched outside off and sharply nipped back to hit the stumps.

Following a disappointing return to the Test side at Leeds, Woakes enjoyed a productive day in Edgbaston, finishing with 2-59 from 21 overs. His performance was particularly significant as it came at his home ground.

"It felt like the stumps were in play all day," Woakes explained. "It didn't feel like a massive nick-off wicket, to be honest; it didn't feel like it had the pace in it for that... It was something which we were looking for. Basically, it was trying to find the right length that allowed you to be full enough not to get driven, but still bring the stumps into play."

He concluded, "Across a career, you don't get that many games at your home venue: this is my fourth Test match here. They are really special weeks. You have a lot of friends and family in the ground, and I've got a lot of love for Warwickshire which goes deep. It's all I've ever known... There's a lot of people behind the scenes who support you through the good times and the bad."