Woakes out to prove Giles right
Chris Woakes would like nothing better than to repay the faith Ashley Giles has shown in him by helping England come from 1-0 down to win the one-day international series in New Zealand.
Woakes' upward career path has coincided, for Warwickshire and now England, with former Ashes-winner Giles' coaching stewardship at county and international level.
"He was a selector beforehand, so it doesn't make a massive difference (to me)," Woakes said. "But the fact he was there for Warwickshire for five years while I was starting my career is a little bit of a confidence boost, and means I can approach him at any point. It's great to have him around, and I hope we can win this series for him."
The 23-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder, a core member of England's squads here in all three formats, was in the team which lost by three wickets in Hamilton.
England must therefore win at Napier's McLean Park on Wednesday to stay in with a chance of adding an ODI series victory to the Twenty20 success they have already banked against the Kiwis, in only the second assignment under new limited-overs coach Giles.
Woakes made 17 at better than a run a ball from number seven at Seddon Park, and then added two for 52 with the ball as well as a smart piece of work to complete the run-out of the well-set Kane Williamson.
It was to no avail, however, because Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill carried the hosts to victory with seven balls to spare.
Woakes gave himself a fair but not outstanding report as he reflected on his ninth ODI appearance.
"I thought it went okay," he said. "It would have been nice to have stayed in till the end with the bat, and put some more runs on the board. Obviously, we thought we were slightly short with the bat. So it would have been nice to contribute there a little bit more.
"With the ball, I didn't finish as well as I'd like to. But to pick up two wickets in the middle was pleasing."
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