"It's A Fair Decision": England Pacer Chris Woakes On Being Left Out Of India Test

Pacer Chris Woakes conceded that England took a fair call by leaving him out of the Test series against India given his record in the sub continent. The 34-year-old was not included in England's 16-member squad for the five-match Test series, starting January 25 in Hyderabad and Woakes said he was at ease with the decision. "It's mixed emotions," Woakes was quoted as saying by 'ESPNCricinfo'. "Whenever there's a Test squad announcement, you're always desperate to be in it. But at the same time, at my age, with my away record - particularly in the subcontinent - I feel like it's a fair decision," he added.

Woakes has done well in home conditions, boasting of a bowling average of 21.88 but it balloons to 51.88 overseas. In the three Tests in India in 2016, Woakes managed only three wickets at a cost of 81.3.

"We had conversations about where my best cricket is likely to be played moving forward and naturally in Test cricket, it looks likely to be at home.

"It doesn't mean to say that when there's not subcontinent tours that I won't be available. But I feel at ease with the decision, if that makes sense. The communication was good, I know where I stand so it's fine by me." The last time Woakes played an away Test series, it didn't go so well. In the absence of veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad, Woakes had been promoted to the role of an opener. But he could manage only five scalps in three Tests at an average of 48.80.

"I tried to bowl my heart out and really struggled with my body. My knee was sore at the time, I ended up having surgery after that and I missed six months of cricket." Woakes feels missing the tour of India could help extend his career.

"I wouldn't want that to be the same case going to India, bowling