Woakes Rueful as Edgbaston Test Hinges on Close Umpire Calls: 'Could Have Had India 30/3'

Chris Woakes expressed his frustration after several close calls went against England on the first day of the Edgbaston Test against India. The bowler felt that the match could have swung heavily in England's favor if those decisions had gone their way.

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

Woakes was particularly aggrieved by the decision against Karun Nair. He was convinced he had trapped Nair leg before wicket. The umpire's call was upheld. The review showed the ball only clipping the top of the off-stump. Woakes believed that if a batsman 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 admitted. "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, a similar incident occurred with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Woakes struck Jaiswal on the front pad. He felt the ball had pitched in line. However, replays indicated the ball was just brushing the top of the leg-stump.

"We could have easily had them 30 for 3," Woakes said. "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 first day favored the batsmen. India ended the day with 310/5, with Shubman Gill scoring a century.

Woakes's strategy to bowl from wide of the crease proved successful against Nitish Reddy. Reddy shouldered arms to a delivery that pitched outside off and nipped back sharply to hit the stumps.

After a disappointing return to the Test side at Leeds, Woakes had a productive day at Edgbaston. He finished with 2-59 from 21 overs. This performance was made even more significant as it took place at his home ground.

"It felt like the stumps were in play all day," Woakes commented. "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."

Woakes also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play at his home venue: "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 added.