Factual. Independent. Impartial.
We supply news, images and multimedia to hundreds of news outlets every day
Sport
Glenn Moore

Aussies will find it hard to get over the line: Woakes

Chris Woakes leads England off at Headingley after his triumphant return to Test cricket. (AP PHOTO)

Chris Woakes has sought to turn the pressure on to Australia despite their 2-1 Ashes lead by insisting the tourists will find it hard to get a series win over the line.

Australia need only win at Old Trafford next week to retain the Ashes but Pat Cummins' men want to be the first Australian side to win in England for two decades.

England, meanwhile, insist they can regain the urn by coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2, which they have never previously done.

"In our dressing room the belief is we can win 3-2, I think it's always been there," the allrounder said.

"You don't want to look too far ahead, you have to play what's in front of you, each ball, each day, each session, each Test match as it comes. 

"I'd imagine when you're so close to getting something, the harder it gets, and I'm sure the Aussies will be feeling that now.

"Once you get so close to something, it's actually hard to get that over the line, isn't it? We've got to turn up in Manchester and put in another performance. 

"They're an extremely good side and we're going to have to be at our best to beat them again."

Woakes admitted his triumphant return to Ashes cricket left him "quite emotional" after accepting his time as a Test player might have come to an end.

The 34-year-old stepped up with bat and ball after being thrust into last week's must-win clash at Headingley, 16 months after he last donned his England whites on the ill-fated tour of the West Indies.

"It's quite emotional actually. You sometimes think the ship has sailed, of course you do," he said of his match-winning return.

"You do wonder, especially when the team was going so well last summer and I wasn't involved. It's hard.

"Sometimes you don't always get the rewards that you deserve, but I felt like I played well in this game and got the rewards I deserve."

License this article

Sign up to read this article
Get your dose of factual, independent and impartial news
Already a member? Sign in here
Top stories on AAP right now