The Wizard

When Chris Woakes tumbled at The Oval, dislocating his shoulder while trying to save just a single run, it began a truly cinematic international farewell. Four days on, with England needing 17 runs to win the fifth Test against India, he appeared with left arm in sling and bat in one hand, the crowd rising to applaud a player pushing through. England’s run chase fell just short but \"The Wizard’s\" selfless commitment secured a place in sporting folklore. Here Woakes takes readers behind the scenes of that dramatic week and on a journey through a 15-year England career as one of the most admired cricketers of his generation.