Woakes keen for new-ball burden
ENGLAND all-rounder Chris Woakes expects to be granted new-ball duties at the World Cup after a devastating spell catapulted his side to a nine-wicket thrashing of West Indies in their first warm-up clash in Sydney yesterday.
Woakes returned figures of 5-19 from his 7.3 overs and snared dangerman Chris Gayle and Darren Bravo in successive first-over deliveries, as West Indies were dismissed for a paltry 122.
Moeen Ali then struck nine fours in a first-wicket partnership of 70 before falling for 46, while fellow opener Ian Bell (35) and James Taylor (25) guided England to a routine victory with 27.1 overs to spare.
“I’d like to think it’s going to be me [getting the new ball] as I have done it for 10 games or so now,” said Woakes, who has 42 wickets from 29 ODIs. “Every time you put on a shirt you want to do your best for England but also for your cause so fingers crossed I’ll get the new ball. I’m not aware of any changes at the minute.”