Chris Woakes, the popular England all-rounder, retired from international cricket with a career ledger filled with crucial performances that defined several eras of English success.
Although often plagued by a disparity between his home and away statistics, Woakes possessed a rare ability to deliver unforgettable, match-winning moments when the pressure was at its highest.
His legacy is cemented by a series of defining performances, especially at the Home of Cricket.
This article highlights the three most influential performances that showcased Woakes’s supreme skill with both bat and ball, performances that England fans will remember forever.
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The three performances that defined Chris Woakes' career
11 for 102 vs Pakistan at Lord's (2016)
The 36-year-old achieved the best bowling figures of his career during the first Test of the 2016 series.
Woakes was in sensational form, taking 6 wickets for 70 runs in the first innings and 5 wickets for 32 runs in the second, to complete match figures of 11 for 102.
The performance was a clear sign of the all-rounder's ability to swing the ball and was enough to earn him a place on the Lord's honours boards for a 10-wicket haul.
137 not out vs India at Lord's (2018)
Woakes became just the tenth player in history to appear on both the batting and bowling honours boards at Lord's with his maiden Test century.
Coming to the crease with England struggling at 131 for 5 in the second Test, the all-rounder shared a record 189-run sixth-wicket stand with Jonny Bairstow.
Woakes finished with an unbeaten 137 runs off 177 balls, an innings that put England in total control of the match and earned him the Man of the Match award.
Player of the Series in The Ashes (2023)
The crowning moment of Woakes's Test career was his series-changing performance in the 2023 Ashes.
Recalled for the third Test at Headingley with England trailing 2-0, Woakes played a crucial role in the fightback.
He took 19 wickets in the three matches he played, averaging a stunning 18.14.
His reliable lower-order runs and ability to take crucial wickets earned him the prestigious Compton-Miller Medal for Player of the Series, helping Ben Stokes's side secure a famous 2-2 draw.
The legacy of the reliable all-rounder
Woakes retires having delivered under the highest pressure.
He was a constant presence in the side that won the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup. While his away Test record was a perennial talking point, his consistency and ability to perform in English conditions were never in doubt.
The image of the all-rounder walking out to bat with a dislocated shoulder in a sling during his final Test against India will forever serve as a reminder of his selfless commitment to the England shirt.
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