Woakes Cites Tight DRS Calls as England Missed Opportunity to Dominate India in Edgbaston Test

Chris Woakes expressed his frustration with marginal DRS decisions that went against England on the opening day of the Edgbaston Test against India. The seamer felt England could have had India reeling at 30/3 if those calls had gone their way.

Chris Woakes celebrates a wicket on day one. © Getty

Woakes was convinced he had dismissed Karun Nair, but the TV replay showed the ball only clipping the top of off-stump. Similarly, an appeal against Yashasvi Jaiswal also resulted in an umpire's call, with the ball marginally clipping the leg-stump.

"I need to be careful: I've had some [decisions] go my way over the years," Woakes acknowledged. He added, "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."

Despite the frustration, Woakes managed to pick up two wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Nitish Reddy, who shouldered arms to a ball that nipped back in to hit the stumps.

Woakes finished the day with 2-59 in 21 overs, a performance he described as "special," especially at his home ground.

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

Despite the close calls, India ended the day in a strong position at 310/5, thanks to a century from Shubman Gill.