Test Match Breakfast takes a look at some of the biggest issues around cricket during England’s huge fifth Test against India at The Oval.
In the latest edition, RICHARD GIBSON reflects on the tributes paid to Graham Thorpe, what the future holds for Chris Woakes, and where Gus Atkinson stands among England’s pantheon of bowlers.
Thorpe fundraiser
Funds raised for the charity Mind in memory of Graham Thorpe hit £125,000 on day two at The Oval.
A Day for Thorpey saw supporters purchasing £5 replicas of the trademark white head band he sported during his 100-match Test career.
Mind sold 9,000 online while Surrey went through their entire stock of 15,000 in the club shop.
England’s players all wore them for a team photograph to remember a man who coached many of them up until 2021.
More than £125,000 has been raised for the charity Mind in memory of Graham Thorpe
Thorpe, who played in 100 test matches for England and scored 6,744 runs, died last year
Chris Woakes’ cruel blow
Chris Woakes has been ruled out of this winter’s Ashes after dislocating his left shoulder while fielding in the fifth Rothesay Test between England and India on Thursday.
The 36-year-old was hurt after chasing a Karun Nair drive to the long-off boundary, flicking the ball away from the rope to stop the four, but jarring the joint as he broke his fall with his left hand.
Mail Sport understands medics continue to assess the injury, but the damage is more extensive than first feared.
In a cruel blow, it is estimated he will be sidelined for up to six months, ruling out his selection in the five-Test series in Australia, starting on November 21 in Perth.
Woakes has an underwhelming record of 44 Test wickets at 48.93 away from home, and his 16 victims in Ashes encounters down under have been even more costly, at 51.68 runs apiece.
However, he would have been a strong contender to feature in the pink ball Test in Brisbane, the second of the series, from December 4-8.
Chris Woakes will miss the winter Ashes and could be out for up to six months in total
Stuart Broad’s amusing twist
One person who will be in Australia for the Ashes – much to the amusement of his Sky Sports colleagues – is Stuart Broad.
Australia’s former public enemy number one will be working for the 7 Network during the hotly-anticipated series.
Although his Ashes exploits include the spellbinding first innings burst that spiralled Australia to defeat here at The Oval in 2009, the brilliant eight for 15 in Nottingham in 2015 and him closing his Test career with the wicket to seal a 2-2 draw two years ago, he is not so fondly remembered down under.
Reacting to his failure to walk during the Trent Bridge Test of 2013, the Brisbane Courier Mail called him a ’smug Pommie cheat.’
But after taking a ribbing yesterday from a commentary box including Aussie duo Ricky Ponting and Mel Jones, Broad quipped: ‘I obviously agree with the ‘Pommie’ and the ‘cheat’ bit, but I don’t think I’m smug.’
Stuart Broad will cross the floor to work for an Aussie broadcaster for the Ashes – after being Australia’s nemesis for so long!
Alastair Cook’s football misery
Rain over the first two days of this Test scuppered the chances of Luton Town season ticket holder Alastair Cook getting to the opening night of the EFL.
Even though the kick-off time at Kenilworth Road for the visit of Wimbledon was not until 8pm, Cook was resigned to missing out due to his commentary duties with the BBC being extended by the wet weather.
The scheduled playing time on day two was extended until 7.30pm, and there was no chance of making it for his up-and-down Hatters begin life in League One because of his TV and radio commitments.
Alastair Cook had to miss Luton’s 1-0 win over Wimbledon as the cricket was so delayed
Of bowlers to have taken 50 or more Test wickets, Gus Atkinson has the third-best strike rate
Gus Atkinson’s stunning stat
Of bowlers to have taken 50 or more Test wickets, Gus Atkinson has the third-best strike rate.
It stood at 34.9 by the close of the second day, narrowly behind West Indies paceman Shamar Joseph and George Lohmann, an England seamer from the 19th century.
Ex-Surrey teammate Sai Sudarshan was his 61st victim in his 13th appearance, at an average of 21.
