Image Source: PA Wire
[Saba Sports News] After a satisfactory performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023, where he scored 131 runs and took 10 wickets in eight innings, and a successful stint in ILT20 2024 with the Sharjah Warriors, Chris Woakes’s unexpected withdrawal from IPL 2024 puzzled many.
Speculations suggested he might be avoiding injuries ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 or taking a break from the demanding cricket schedule for mental recuperation.
However, the true reason for his absence emerged via an Instagram story. The 35-year-old revealed the passing of his father, Roger Woakes, in early May, explaining his need to mourn with his family during this difficult time.
Woakes, a fixture in the Warwickshire setup since 2006, has played 99 First Class games, taking 364 wickets, including 14 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls in matches. He debuted against the West Indies A side five years before rising to prominence in English cricket.
He promised to return to cricket for England when the time is right for him and his family, reflecting on his father’s pride in his county affiliation. Woakes expressed gratitude for the privacy given to him and his family during this challenging period and looked forward to playing for Warwickshire again soon.