Woakes Cites Unlucky LBW Calls as Turning Point in India Test

Chris Woakes expressed his frustration over two close LBW (leg before wicket) calls that didn't go England's way on the opening day of the Edgbaston Test against India. The seamer felt that those decisions could have dramatically altered the course of the day.

Chris Woakes celebrating a wicket on day one. © Getty

Woakes believed he had dismissed Karun Nair when a delivery nipped back and struck the batsman's pad. Despite the impact being outside off-stump, Nair hadn't offered a shot. The third umpire, however, deemed the ball to be only clipping the top of the stumps, upholding the on-field decision.

"I need to be careful: I've had some [decisions] go my way over the years," Woakes acknowledged. "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."

Earlier, a similar incident occurred when Yashasvi Jaiswal was struck on the pad. Woakes was convinced the ball had pitched in line, but replays showed it was only brushing the leg-stump.

"We could have easily had them 30 for 3," Woakes stated, 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 the overcast conditions at Edgbaston, the day favored the batsmen, with India reaching 310/5, highlighted by Shubman Gill's century.

Woakes's tactic of bowling from wide of the crease proved fruitful against Nitish Reddy, who shouldered arms to a delivery that nipped back in to hit the stumps.

After a disappointing return to the Test side in Leeds, Woakes enjoyed a more successful day at his home ground, finishing with 2-59 from 21 overs.

"It felt like the stumps were in play all day," Woakes commented. "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."

Woakes also expressed his appreciation for playing at his home venue: "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."