This stat says Chris Woakes is the greatest home bowler ever

It can sometimes be hard to recognise the true extent of greatness while it's happening, especially when a player is overshadowed by legends.

But one stat says England all-rounder Chris Woakes might be the actual greatest when playing in home conditions.

In cricket, the best way to account for the conditions a bowler competes in is to look at their Bowling Average compared to their peers in the same matches.

However, for a clearer comparison to the baseball stat ERA+, we can focus on the simple, yet stunning, metric of his Test Bowling Average in England.

And of every fast bowler with at least 50 wickets in Tests in England since World War Two, Woakes' home average of 22.10 is exceptional.

For a more comprehensive look at all-round value in those conditions, the Average Differential (Batting Average minus Bowling Average) is another powerful measure.

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

This figure rewards players who are great with both bat and ball.

Woakes is practically peerless in this metric among all-rounders in England.

The Home Dominance

Woakes put up an average of 22.10 in England, a remarkable figure that stands up to the all-time greats.

Here's a comparison for Test Bowling Averages in England (minimum 50 wickets post-WWII):

The All-Round Case

When considering the Average Differential (Batting Avg. - Bowling Avg.) for players with 20 or more home Tests since World War Two, the case for Woakes becomes even stronger:

Woakes' Average Differential of 13.30 is second only to the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers, and is significantly better than fellow great all-rounders like Sir Ian Botham and Ben Stokes.

Woakes is so, so special in the conditions he knows best.

When you put both these stats together, it is clear that Woakes was one of, if not the most dominant, home bowlers with both bat and ball to have played the game.

Cricket news and related links

• Why have England picked Will Jacks for The Ashes

• The Ashes contenders: Three young guns poised for an England call-up

• Mark Wood provides positive update on Ashes rehab

• The Ashes debate: The race to be England’s second spinner heats up

• Harry Brook unleashes his frustration after England’s heavy defeat