England Ashes hero Chris Woakes ready to become Stuart Broad’s successor

Chris Woakes says he is ready to step into the shoes vacated by the retiring Stuart Broad and help bring through the next generation of bowling talent. The genial Brummie, 34, has grown used to operating in the shadows as Broad and Jimmy Anderson established England’s greatest ever strike-bowling partnership.

But following Broad’s retirement at The Oval and his own standout Ashes performance, Woakes has been thrust centre stage. And far from avoiding the spotlight he insists he wants to take the opportunity going forward for captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

“I feel very lucky to have played with Stuart and Jimmy. The stuff that I’ve learned from them has had a huge impact on how I’ve bowled about over the years,” he said. “It’s extended my international career if anything.

“We obviously won’t know what would have been if they hadn’t been around but I can only have good things to say in terms of the knowledge that they’ve passed on. It’s been an honour.”

Clutching a bottle of champagne and his award for the Player of the Series on the outfield at The Oval Woakes deserved all the plaudits finally heading his way. He dragged England over the line in Leeds with the winning runs, took 5-62 at Old Trafford, seven wickets at The Oval and 19 in all from just three Tests.

All this having started the 2022 season recovering from knee surgery that left him wondering whether he would play again let alone scale such heights. Asked whether he now felt ready to assume a role as a senior bowler after Broad’s departure, Woakes said: “Yes definitely.

“I want to play for England for as long as possible. Playing international cricket is the pinnacle and you want to be a part of days like today. You don’t get it anywhere else. So, you want this to last for as long as possible whilst you’re still performing, obviously.

“It’s important that the older guys in the team do pass on the knowledge to younger guys coming through because the international game is very different to what we play at county level. So much information can be passed on and hopefully I can be part of that.”

Woakes’ record overseas has never come close to his record with a Duke’s ball under English skies where he averages 29.13 per wicket. In Australia his wickets have come at 51.68, in New Zealand at 50, South Africa at 56.40 and in India, where England will tour early next year, his wickets have cost 81.33 apiece.

Cue a wry smile from Woakes when asked whether he would put his hand up for the tour of the sub-continent. “I think that’s a question for another day,” he said smiling. “Let’s let this sink in. And yeah, we’ll see. I’ve no idea but we all know my record away from home so I think we’ll come to that if it happens.”

Whatever his Test future Woakes must already be one of the most decorated unsung heroes of all time with a Compton Miller Medal, and two World Cup trophies from 50-overs and T20. On this evidence he still has much to give.