"The ball is firmly in their court" - Chris Woakes expects lively wickets in remainder of ENG vs PAK 2024 Test series
Veteran England seamer Chris Woakes expects lively surfaces in the next two Tests against Pakistan, with the wicket in Multan for the first match assisting the batters heavily. The 35-year-old reflected that the surface at the Multan Cricket Stadium turned out to be a belter for batting as the game progressed despite the green tinge.
The wicket in Multan came under criticism as both teams' bowlers toiled in the first innings, with Pakistan making 556 in 149 overs after winning the toss. England came up with a stronger reply, racking up 823/7 before declaring, headlined by a triple-hundred from Harry Brook and Joe Root's 262.
Speaking to reporters after England's innings and 47-run win in Multan, Woakes said the ball is in Pakistan's court as it will be interesting to see what they serve for the next Test. As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, he remarked:
"There was talk about green surfaces. I suppose it did have a tinge of green on day one, but it just got better and better. The ball is firmly in their court. When it's a home series and it's only three matches, and you lose the first, you'd like to think that the next two are going to be result wickets, whether that be green or turners. We'll see."
On what felt like a flat deck to most players and experts, Pakistan suffered a stunning batting collapse on Day 4, crumbling to 82/6. The unbroken stand between Aamer Jamal and Salman Ali Agha dragged the match to the fifth day. However, England picked up the remaining wickets in the first session on the final day to go 1-0 up in the series.
"I'm never going to average 25 in these conditions but I don't think many would" - Chris Woakes
Chris Woakes, playing his first Test in Asia since 2016, credited Brendon McCullum for the opportunity and took pride in contributing to England's win.
The Warwickshire seamer added:
"I probably didn't think I was going to get another opportunity to do this. In a way, I'd probably given up on it. But when you get the backing of the dressing room, of Ben and Baz [McCullum], you feel 10 feet tall and like you can go out there and win games of cricket for England.
"I'm never going to average 25 in these conditions but I don't think many would. Thankfully in this Test match, I've been able to make a couple of breakthroughs with the new ball on a wicket which was offering pretty much bugger all, so I'm pretty pleased I contributed."
The second Test between England and Pakistan begins in Multan on October 15.