‘I’ve a lot to owe to cricket’

daily sun : This is your first time in the BPL. How are you finding the experience?
Chris Woakes: It feels different being solely a franchise player. You have a lot more time to pick and choose where you want to play. I’ve been to Bangladesh many times with England, but being part of the BPL is a new experience. I’m excited to be part of the Sylhet team.
daily sun : Did you have a chat with Moeen Ali before coming here?
Woakes: Yes, yes, I did speak to him. There's quite a bit of conversation going on. I was hoping to get here a little bit sooner, but it didn't quite work out. But, it's still good to be here.
daily sun : You recently retired from international cricket. With the Ashes currently happening in Australia, do you have any regrets, especially seeing those wickets?
Woakes: Once I made my decision, I was happy with it regardless of injury or recovery. My shoulder recovered quicker than expected, but I was never going to go back on my word. 
Looking at the Australian wickets, it is a bit of a shame to miss out because I’ve never bowled on tracks quite like those over there—the game and the surfaces have changed a bit.
daily sun : You have always been known as a "team-first" player. Where did that ethos come from?
Woakes: It comes from my upbringing. My parents always taught me to do my best and leave everything on the field. Generally, if you are doing what’s best for the team, you are doing well for yourself anyway. I’ve played with good people who instilled those values in me.
daily sun : You are often called "The Wizard." What is the story behind that nickname?
Woakes: It started during a darts competition when I was with the England Under-19s in Malaysia. We all needed nicknames, and mine was "The Wizard." That group of players kept it going, and as I moved into different teams, it just stuck.
daily sun : We hear you were quite the footballer in the England camp?
Woakes: I don't know about being the best anymore—the knees aren't good enough! But football was my first passion. Cricket only got serious around age 14, and I’m glad I chose it because it has served me well. I’m still a huge Aston Villa fan, though we had a bad result yesterday (Sunday).
daily sun : Your Test career coincided with James Anderson and Stuart Broad. What was it like sharing an attack with two of the greatest of all time?
Woakes: It was amazing. I played almost my entire career with them; I probably only played about ten Tests where neither was in the side. To lean on their knowledge was incredible. Sometimes it meant I didn’t play because they were around, but I learned so much from watching them train.
For me, Jimmy was an idol—the way he swung the ball was something I studied up close. To do what they did as fast bowlers, playing 160 to 180 Tests, is honestly incredible.
daily sun : You’ve played under legendary captains like Sir Alastair Cook, Eoin Morgan, and Ben Stokes. How do they compare?
Woakes: They are very different characters. I can confidently say the best Test captain I’ve worked under is Ben Stokes. He is aggressive, always on the front foot, and very clear about what he wants the team to do. You have your input, but he leads from the front. On the other hand, the best white-ball captain I’ve worked under is Eoin Morgan. He was instrumental in our journey to the top. His calmness under pressure and the clarity of his messaging were vital. I enjoyed playing under both immensely.
daily sun : Who was the most difficult batsman to bowl to in Test cricket?
Woakes: In Tests, it would be Steve Smith. He is so unique and incredibly hard to get out. As an outswing bowler, my best ball would often hit his back leg or he’d miss it in a way that didn't result in a wicket. I felt LBW was the only real way to get him. Virat Kohli is world-class, but Smith is the best in the Test arena.
In white-ball cricket, the one who gave me the most fear was AB de Villiers. What he could do was unbelievable; he could make you look silly and take the game away in an instant. That’s the most worrying thing as a professional.