Woakes Voices Frustration as Close DRS Calls Haunt England Against India at Edgbaston

Chris Woakes expressed his frustration with several close calls that didn't go England's way on the opening day of the Edgbaston Test against India.

Chris Woakes celebrates a wicket on the first day of the Test match. © Getty

Woakes, visibly annoyed by the third umpire's decision, believed he had dismissed Karun Nair for his second wicket. A delivery that nipped back struck Nair's pad, and despite the impact being outside off-stump, Nair hadn't offered a shot. Woakes was convinced the ball would have hit the stumps, prompting Ben Stokes to review.

However, replays indicated the ball only marginally clipped the top of the off-stump, leading to the on-field umpire's decision being upheld. 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 conceded 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 benefitted from a similar close call that was reviewed. Woakes struck Jaiswal on the front pad with a delivery from over the stumps, and was convinced it had pitched in line. Stokes hesitantly reviewed, but replays showed the ball just brushed the top of the leg-stump.

"We could have easily had them 30 for 3," Woakes stated, 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, with India reaching 310/5, aided by Shubman Gill's century.

Woakes did find success altering his bowling angle, dismissing Nitish Reddy with a delivery that nipped back to hit the stumps.

Reflecting on his performance, Woakes, who finished with 2-59 in 21 overs, said: "It felt like the stumps were in play all day. 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."

Playing at his home ground made the day even more special for Woakes. "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.