Bears honour caps year for Woakes

Woakes took 5-40 in Worcestershire's first innings and was rewarded with his county cap

Young Warwickshire bowler Chris Woakes has been celebrating the award of his county cap at the end of his second season in senior cricket.

The 20-year-old received the honour during the victory over Worcestershire in which he finished with 9-83.

Woakes told BBC WM: "That's a huge honour. I was delighted last year when I received my second-team cap.

"To get my first-team cap, I can't say much, I'm speechless, but I'm obviously delighted to have received it."

Woakes was given his cap as the players emerged after tea on the third day of the Worcestershire game - after he had taken five wickets in the visitors' first innings earlier that day.

"I didn't know [it was going to happen]. All the guys tried to push us out early because we were two down on the over rate, and we were told to get out there early. But obviously we were told to get out there early to make the presentation! I was completely in the dark about it."

Woakes has enjoyed a successful season with Warwickshire and also performed well for the England Lions, taking 6-43 against the West Indies tourists early in the year.

In 17 first-class matches to date he has taken 43 wickets, and also scored 478 runs including a maiden hundred against Hampshire.

"It's been a really good season. I'm looking forward to the end of it, it'll be nice to put my feet up. But I've really enjoyed it," he added.

"It's obviously been a bit tougher in division one, we always expected that. I think I've come through pretty well."

Woakes has risen quickly after emerging as a Warwickshire regular only in the second half of 2008.

His England Lions appearances have brought him some national coverage, but the 20-year-old says he has not been affected by the extra attention.

"I don't think it adds any more pressure, I just take it in my stride. Some people think that it does, but I just like to go out there and do what I do.

"At the start of the season I took a bit of flak because I wasn't taking that many wickets. But I've just stuck at what I do best and at the moment it's becoming good, so I've really enjoyed it."