WOAK AND DAGGER

Chris knows he’s got huge boots to fill taking over as senior strike bowler from Stu and Jimmy but Player of the Series says: Learning from them has been an honour... I want this feeling to last as long as possible

- GIDEON BROOKS 

CHRIS WOAKES is ready to step into the bowling boots vacated by legend Stuart Broad and help bring through the next generation of talent. 

The Brummie, 34, has grown used to operating in the shadows as Broad and Jimmy Anderson established England’s greatest strike-bowling partnership.

But following Broad’s retirement at The Oval and his own standout Ashes performance, Woakes has been thrust centre stage.

And far from avoiding the spotlight he insists he wants to take the opportunity going forward for captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

“I feel very lucky to have played with Stuart and Jimmy. The stuff that I’ve learned from them has had a huge impact on how I’ve bowled about over the years,” Woakes said.

“It’s extended my international career if anything.

“We obviously won’t know what would have been if they hadn’t been around, but I can only have good things to say in terms of the knowledge that they’ve passed on. It’s been an honour.”