Woakes Rueful Over Close LBW Calls as India Batting Resurgence Begins

Chris Woakes expressed his frustration with several close calls that went against England on the opening day of the Edgbaston Test against India. The fast bowler felt that a couple of LBW decisions could have easily seen India reeling at 30 for 3.

Chris Woakes celebrating a wicket on day one. © Getty

Woakes's first moment of disappointment came in the 11th over when he thought he had dismissed Karun Nair. The ball nipped back and struck Nair on the back pad, and although the impact was outside off-stump, Nair hadn't offered a shot. Woakes was convinced the ball was going on to hit the stumps, prompting Ben Stokes to review.

However, the TV replay showed the ball only clipping the top of off-stump, leading to the on-field umpire's original decision being upheld. Woakes later suggested that when a batter doesn't offer a shot, the benefit of the doubt should go to the bowler.

"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, Yashasvi Jaiswal had a similar close shave. Woakes struck Jaiswal on the front pad with a delivery from over the stumps, and was convinced of the in-line pitching. Stokes reluctantly reviewed, but the replays showed the ball only brushing the top of leg-stump.

"We could have easily had them 30 for 3," Woakes lamented, 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 start, India recovered to finish the day on 310/5, with Shubman Gill scoring a 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 to hit the stumps.

After a difficult Test in Leeds, Woakes enjoyed a more fruitful day at Edgbaston, finishing with figures of 2-59 in 21 overs at his home ground.

"It felt like the stumps were in play all day," Woakes explained. "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 spoke about the significance of 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," he concluded.