England vs Sri Lanka: Chris Woakes targets place on winter tour

England effectively ended the career of the 42-year-old Anderson, their all-time leading wicket-taker, ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes tour of Australia.

That has led to doubts about their loyalty to Woakes, a bowler with a similar style and certainly not young for a fast player, despite being seven years younger than Anderson.

One of Woakes’ greatest assets is his batting ability, with a Test average of almost 28. He is easily the best batsman among England’s bowlers, a genuine number eight who has been upgraded to number seven in the absence of the injured captain Stokes.

“That’s a bonus, isn’t it?” Woakes said. “It’s another string to the bow that could potentially get me selected before someone else who might not be able to fill that role completely.”

Woakes helped England beat Sri Lanka by 238 runs on the first day of the three-match series, putting the home side 22-0 up before poor light in Manchester halted play.

“I feel like we’ve had a great day,” Woakes told Test Match Special. “To bowl a team out on day one and then not be behind at all at the end is always very pleasing.”

England are led for the first time by vice-captain Ollie Pope, who takes over as captain for the series following a hamstring injury to Stokes.

The 26-year-old Pope has captained England in just one top-flight match before and is only the fifth player to captain England in a Test match since 2009.

“It’s obviously different not having Ben,” Woakes said. “I thought Ollie was good. He probably had to push a bit more than usual.

“As a captain you always have to be on your toes, constantly thinking about the pitches, the bowling changes and how to get wickets.

“He communicated well with the bowlers, discussing options and field settings. For an inexperienced captain I thought he did a great job.”