• Source:JND
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India vs England 5th Test: England's talismanic batter Joe Root has clarified that injured pacer Chris Woakes will come out to bat on Day 5 of the fifth and final Test against India, despite a suspected shoulder dislocation, in case he is needed. 

Woakes, who sustained an injury to his shoulder on Day 1 of the Oval Test while saving a ball smacked by Karun Nair, was seen wearing an arm sling on Sunday.

Root said that Woakes was in an extreme amount of pain but would come out to bat, just like India vice-captain Rishabh Pant did in the Manchester Test despite a toe fracture, because the England jersey holds so much value to him.

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"Well, clearly he's in a huge amount of pain. There are other guys in this series who have played with a broken foot. Players have taken blows here and there, and for Woakes, it just shows the character that he is, and that he's willing to put his body on the line for England. Hopefully, he does not have to, but if it does, hopefully he gets us across the line and wins us an incredible series," Root said at the press conference at the end of Day 4's play.

As things stand heading into Day 5, England needed 35 runs to win and India needed three wickets, but if the injured pacer decided to come out and bat the visitors would need four wickets.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday released a statement, informing about Woakes' injury.

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“England seamer Chris Woakes will continue to be monitored throughout the remainder of the Rothesay Fifth Test at The Kia Oval, following a left shoulder injury sustained on day one of the match against India," the ECB had said in a statement on Friday.

“At this stage, the injury has ruled him out of any further participation in the Test. A further assessment will be conducted after the series," the ECB further added.