WARWICKSHIRE all-rounder Chris Woakes has been added to England’s one-day international squad with Jade Dernbach possibly unavailable for the remainder of the series against West Indies on compassionate grounds. Dernbach is believed to have been close to Surrey team-mate Tom Maynard, who was killed earlier yesterday after being hit by a train in London.
Woakes, 23, has played four one-dayers, the most recent of which was against Ireland last August, with the England and Wales Cricket Board confirming his call-up yesterday afternoon and England, who lead 1-0 with two to play, have the opportunity to clinch the series and try to somehow lift inevitable low spirits at Maynard’s home ground.
Injury-hit West Indies, meanwhile, face a difficult task to battle back.
It was confirmed that Chris Gayle, a shock absentee two days ago with a previously unreported shin injury from what would have been his first match of the tour, is to have a scan on his leg and without the destructive opener, West Indies’ chances of levelling the series will be significantly compromised.
They may also be missing pace-bowling all-rounder Andre Russell, following another scan on an injury suffered in the West Indies’ defeat at the Ageas Bowl.
Darren Bravo was in the wars on the south coast too, and the groin injury he suffered there – which forced him off the field and then prevented him batting in his usual position – has spelt the end of his disappointing tour.