LONDON: England paceman Chris Woakes says he faces a race against time to be fit for the first Test with South Africa at Lord’s on July 6th.

The 28-year-old has a left side strain which he suffered in England’s Cham­pions Trophy match with Bangladesh last Thursday.

He told Press Association Sport with the recovery time generally four to six weeks he was ‘up against it’ in being fit for the first of the four Test series.

“It’s a left side strain and there is a tear in the muscle,” he said.

“It’s a grade-two injury, which is not terrible news, but it’s not great news at the same time.

“They say it’s roughly a four to six-week injury, and it’s more likely to be towards the six when I am back playing competitive cricket.

“I’m on day five of recovery now, and the physios say for the first 10 to 14 days there’s not a lot we can do other than rest it.

“You don’t rule it out, but I’m probably up against it for the first Test.”

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Iran stalemate
Updated 02 May, 2026

Iran stalemate

THE US and Iran are currently somewhere between war and peace. While a tenuous ceasefire — extended largely due to...
Tax shortfall
02 May, 2026

Tax shortfall

THE Rs684bn shortfall in tax collection during the first 10 months of the fiscal year is a continuation of a...
Teaching inclusion
02 May, 2026

Teaching inclusion

DISCRIMINATORY and exclusionary content in Punjab’s textbooks has been flagged in Inclusive Education for a United...
Water vision
01 May, 2026

Water vision

WATER insecurity in Pakistan has been building up for decades as per capita water availability has declined from...
Vaccine policy
01 May, 2026

Vaccine policy

PAKISTAN has finally approved its first National Vaccine Policy; a step the health ministry has rightly described as...
Labour rights
Updated 01 May, 2026

Labour rights

THE annual observance of May Day should move beyond statements about the state’s commitment to the rights of...