Woakes Bowls Off-Spin as Bad Light Halts England's Pace Attack

England's Woakes Bowls Off-Spin Due to Bad Light in Third Test Against Sri Lanka

In an unusual turn of events, England pacer Chris Woakes was forced to bowl off-spin during the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval due to poor light conditions.

With skies darkening and light fading rapidly in London on Saturday, Woakes was seen bowling off-spin against the Lankan batters. The incident occurred in the 7th over of Sri Lanka's first innings when the on-field umpires informed skipper Ollie Pope that the light was insufficient for fast bowlers to operate.

Woakes, who had just dismissed Pathum Nissanka on the second ball of his fourth over, had four more deliveries to bowl when the umpires intervened. This forced him to complete his remaining balls by bowling off-spin, much to the amusement of England bowling coach Jeetan Patel and the players on the field.

With a couple of slips, a leg slip, and a short-leg in place, Woakes bowled three off-spinning deliveries, one of which was dispatched to the boundary. He then completed the over with an arm ball.

Earlier, bad light had also forced early stumps on the opening day of the Test. Riding on Pope's 154, England scored 325 before being bowled out in the 70th over. Already 2-0 up in the series, England are aiming for a whitewash against Sri Lanka.

Tags: #EnglandCricket, #SriLankaCricket, #ChrisWoakes, #OffSpin, #BadLight