Woakes thrilled with match-winning debut knock
By IANSThursday, January 13, 2011
ADELAIDE - Debutant Chris Woakes was thrilled to guide England through the tense last over and snatch victory in the opening Twenty20 international against Australia.
Woakes, who plays for Warwickshire, hit an unbeaten 19 and scored the winning run off the last ball at the Adelaide Oval Wednesday. The 21-year-old all-rounder said the feeling of his match-winning knock in his debut match is yet to sink in.
“It was a matter of trying to stay calm,” he said. “I knew we batted all the way to No.11. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I was just happy to make my debut, it was a huge honour for me. It was a great achievement for myself and the team to win the game,” Woakes said.
“I was a bit nervous before my first ball but I think it would be wrong not to have a few nerves on your debut. I thought I did okay. I could have done a bit better, but overall I was pretty pleased.”
Woakes even pulled Shaun Tait for a six, and rescued England after the loss of Eoin Morgan and Michael Yardy in consecutive deliveries from Shane Watson.
“He’s (Tait) one of the quickest bowlers in the world so I was just trying to watch the ball out of his hand,” he said. “There wasn’t much going through my mind except to get bat on ball.”
Woakes said the mood in the dressing room is upbeat after the Ashes success.
“Everyone is really welcoming. Winning the Ashes was a great achievement so the lads are full of confidence and it’s a great changing room to be in at the moment.”
