Woakes Rue Missed Opportunities as Contentious Decisions Dent England's Hopes Against India

Chris Woakes expressed his frustration after several close calls went against England on the opening day of the Edgbaston Test against India. The seamer felt that the hosts could have had India in deeper trouble if the decisions had gone their way.

Chris Woakes celebrating a wicket on day one. © Getty

Woakes, visibly annoyed by the third umpire's verdict, saw his appeal for Karun Nair's wicket turned down. The incident occurred in the 11th over when a delivery nipped back and struck Nair's pad. Despite the impact being outside off-stump, Nair hadn't offered a shot. Woakes believed the ball would have hit the stumps, prompting Ben Stokes to review. However, the replay showed the ball clipping the top of off-stump, leading to the on-field umpire's decision being upheld.

Woakes stated, "I need to be careful: I've had some [decisions] go my way over the years. 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, Yashasvi Jaiswal also benefitted from a close call. Woakes struck Jaiswal on the front pad, and was convinced the ball had pitched in line. Stokes reviewed, but replays showed the ball only brushing the top of the leg-stump.

"We could have easily had them 30 for 3," Woakes said, referring to the two contentious decisions. "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 bowler-friendly overhead conditions, India managed to reach 310/5 by the end of the day, with Shubman Gill scoring a century.

Woakes did manage to dismiss Nitish Reddy, with a delivery that pitched outside off and tailed in sharply to hit the stumps.

Reflecting on his performance, Woakes said, "It felt like the stumps were in play all day. 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 added, "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."