England all-rounder Chris Woakes was ruled out of the remainder of the fifth Test against India after sustaining a shoulder injury on the opening day of the match at the Oval in London.

A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had stated that Woakes would play no further part in the Test match following the injury.

With Woakes not coming out to bat in England’s first innings, the team effectively had just nine wickets in hand.

England was dismissed for 247 after the fall of the ninth wicket, and the same could follow in its second innings if Woakes is unable to wield the willow.
 

Woakes was not granted a substitute as the rules allow a replacement player, who can bat and bowl, only in the event of a concussion to a player.

However, there are no rules preventing Woakes from coming out to bat in the second innings, despite him being unable to do so in the first. If the situation demands, Woakes could make his way out to the middle as England chases a record target at The Oval.

The ECB is yet to state in this regard.

England also had to contend with Woakes’ absence with the ball in the second innings. He had bowled 14 overs in the first innings before sustaining the injury, and his absence meant that seamers Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton had to do the heavy lifting in the second.

England also had to contend with Woakes’ absence with the ball in the second innings. He had bowled 14 overs in the first innings before sustaining the injury, and his absence meant that seamers Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton had to do the heavy lifting in the second.