Chris Woakes willing to play in upcoming tours

Chris Woakes showcased his commitment to Test cricket, delivering an impressive performance as England bowled Sri Lanka out for 236 on the first day of their series at Old Trafford. Woakes claimed three wickets for 32 runs, including two early dismissals with the new ball, which left Sri Lanka reeling at six for three. His efforts were pivotal in dismantling the Sri Lankan batting lineup, although the visitors managed to recover somewhat, thanks to half-centuries from Dhananjaya de Silva and debutant Milan Rathnayake. Despite being overlooked for England's tour of India last winter, Woakes remains optimistic about future overseas tours, including upcoming matches in Pakistan and New Zealand. When asked about his potential involvement, he expressed his willingness to play wherever selected, emphasizing that he is not ruling himself out of contention. With 36 Test wickets away from home at an average of 51.88, Woakes acknowledged the challenges of playing abroad but highlighted the experience and skills he has gained over the years. Reflecting on the day's play, Woakes expressed satisfaction with England's performance, particularly their ability to bowl out Sri Lanka on the first day. He noted that the team could have achieved even more under different conditions but remained pleased with their position at the close of play. The match also saw contributions from Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood, who added to the pressure on Sri Lanka with their bowling efforts.