Woakes Rueful Over Contentious LBW Calls as India Take Control at Edgbaston

Woakes Laments Unlucky LBW Decisions Against India

Chris Woakes expressed his frustration with several close LBW (Leg Before Wicket) decisions that went against England on the opening day of the Edgbaston Test against India. The seamer believed that the calls could have dramatically altered the course of the match.

Chris Woakes celebrates a wicket. © Getty

Woakes's first moment of disappointment came in the 11th over when he thought he had trapped Karun Nair in front. The ball nipped back and struck Nair's pad, and while the impact was outside off-stump, Nair hadn't offered a shot. Woakes was confident enough that the ball was going on to hit the stumps to convince captain Ben Stokes to review the on-field umpire's decision.

However, the TV replay indicated that the ball was only clipping the top of the off-stump, leading to the original decision being upheld. Woakes later suggested that if a batter doesn't offer a shot, the benefit of the doubt should go to the bowler in such marginal cases.

"I need to be careful: I've had some [decisions] go my way over the years," Woakes conceded. "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 the Nair incident, Yashasvi Jaiswal also benefited from a close call that went to review. Woakes struck Jaiswal on the front pad, and was convinced that the ball had pitched in line. Stokes reluctantly agreed to review, but replays showed the ball barely brushing the top of 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 frustrating morning, India ended the day in a strong position at 310/5, thanks to Shubman Gill's century.

Woakes did find success with his strategy of bowling from wide of the crease, dismissing Nitish Reddy with a ball that nipped back in sharply to hit the stumps.

Reflecting on his performance, Woakes, who finished with 2-59 in 21 overs, 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 also expressed his appreciation for playing at his home ground: "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," he concluded.