England’s blushes in a roller-coaster four-day Test against Ireland were saved by Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad at Lord’s with the two pacers combining to wipe out the visitors for just 38 runs in the second innings.
Woakes, in particular, was nearly unplayable as the England seaming all-rounder finishing with career-best figures of 6-17 in the second innings.
While several iconic cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne and Wasim Akram have missed out on their name being put up on the Lord’s honours board over the years, Woakes has managed to do it on four occasions in as many Tests.
The England all-rounder has registered one century and three five-wicket hauls in his Test career so far and all of them have remarkably come at the home of cricket.
He’s taken 24 wickets there at an astonishing average of 9.8. There is just something about the Lord’s surface that seems to bring out the very best of Woakes every time he steps onto the pitch.
Chris Woakes' Test stats at the @HomeOfCricket
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 26, 2019
Bat ave: 68.50
Hundreds: 1
Wickets: 24
Bowl ave: 9.75
Five-fors: 3
BBI: 6/17#LoveLords pic.twitter.com/7usgP40Jiy
Only Australia legend Glenn McGrath, with 26 wickets in three Tests at Lord’s, comes close to the dominance Woakes has shown. With the second Ashes Test between England and Australia set to take place at Lord’s, Woakes will be licking his lips in anticipation of another devastating showing.
Here, we look at Woakes’ moments of glory at Lord’s so far.
HEROICS IN LOSING CAUSE v PAKISTAN
Woakes’ second Test appearance at Lord’s turned out to be a an eventful one with the all-rounder going on to claim a 10-wicket haul across the two innings in a losing cause against Pakistan in 2016.
The visitors put up 339 runs in their first innings after batting first with Woakes picking up 6-70. England were bowled out for 272 in response with the all-rounder remaining unbeaten on 35 in a fighting innings.
Woakes picked up his second five-for of the match in the second innings with his 5-32 helping the hosts tie Pakistan down to 215. England fell 75 runs short in their chase of 283 in the end with Yasir Shah running riot, but Woakes’ display remained an exceptional one despite the result.
Woakes’ heroics went in vain in the end.
ALL-ROUND SHOWING v INDIA
Woakes turned hero with the bat for the hosts at Lord’s last year during India’s tour of England with the only century so far of his Test career.
He picked up the important wickets of Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya in the first innings on a damp surface as India were bowled out for just 107 runs. The hosts were struggling somewhat at 131-5 with the pitch showing all signs of life before Woakes came together with Jonny Bairstow to drive home England’s advantage.
The right-hander scored 137 off just 177 deliveries to take the game away from India with England eventually declaring at 396-7.
Woakes then completed the job in the second innings with the ball where he picked up two more wickets to round off an excellent man-of-the-match display.
The Lord’s ton is Woakes’ only Test century to date.
WORLD CUP TITLE
Woakes’ prolific displays at Lord’s have not just been limited to Test cricket with the all-rounder impressing at the ODI level as well.
Woakes’ crowning moment at the venue will no doubt be the final of the 2019 World Cup just two weeks ago as England ended their excruciating trophy drought.
The all-rounder had been tremendous with the new ball for the hosts throughout the tournament and he did the same in the final where he returned with excellent figures of 3-37.
The match went into a Super Over before being decided on boundary count but Woakes’ contributions were important nevertheless.
Just days later, he was at it again at Lord’s in whites with Ireland facing the music this time.
Woakes played his part in England’s epic finale at Lord’s.
