Woakes Rueful After Close Calls Hand India Advantage at Edgbaston

Chris Woakes, the England fast bowler, expressed his frustration with several close calls that went against his team on the opening day of the Edgbaston Test against India. Despite his efforts, India ended the day in a strong position.

Woakes celebrates a wicket on the first day. © Getty

Woakes was particularly aggrieved by an umpire's call involving Karun Nair. He believed he had trapped Nair leg before wicket (LBW). The incident occurred in the 11th over when a delivery nipped back and struck Nair's pad. Although the impact was outside off-stump, Nair hadn't offered a shot. Woakes was confident enough to convince captain Ben Stokes to review the decision.

However, the TV replay indicated that the ball was only clipping the top of the off-stump. Consequently, the on-field umpire's original decision stood. Woakes later suggested that when a batter doesn't offer a shot, the benefit of the doubt should go to the bowler.

"I need to be careful; I've had some [decisions] go my way over the years," Woakes acknowledged during the post-day press conference. "In general, DRS has been good for the game. A lot more right decisions are given [than before]. The only thing I would like to come in is that if a batsman decides to leave the ball and it's still hitting the stumps, I think that should be out - regardless if it's clipping or not."

Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal also benefited from a similar close call. Woakes struck Jaiswal on the front pad, and the bowler was certain the ball had pitched in line. Stokes reviewed, but replays showed the ball only marginally hitting the leg-stump.

"We could have easily had them 30 for 3," Woakes lamented, referring to the two contentious decisions. "It was a pretty frustrating morning, really. Obviously emotions run high when you are desperate to do well for the team, do well for yourself and it would've been nice... had those decisions gone our way, the day looks completely different, but that is Test cricket and we move on."

Despite the overcast conditions at Edgbaston, the day favored the batters. India capitalized, reaching 310/5 at the close of play, aided by Shubman Gill's century.

Woakes did find success by bowling wide of the crease, a tactic that dismissed Nitish Reddy. The all-rounder shouldered arms to a delivery that cut back sharply and hit the stumps.

After a disappointing performance in Leeds, Woakes enjoyed a more productive day at his home ground, finishing with 2-59 from 21 overs.

"It felt like the stumps were in play all day," Woakes commented. "It didn't feel like a massive nick-off wicket, to be honest; it didn't feel like it had the pace in it for that... It was something which we were looking for. Basically, it was trying to find the right length that allowed you to be full enough not to get driven, but still bring the stumps into play."

Woakes also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play at Edgbaston. "Across a career, you don't get that many games at your home venue: this is my fourth Test match here. They are really special weeks. You have a lot of friends and family in the ground, and I've got a lot of love for Warwickshire which goes deep. It's all I've ever known... There's a lot of people behind the scenes who support you through the good times and the bad," he concluded.