Classy Chris bowled over by success..

Byline: By ANDY WALKER 

CHRIS Woakes admits he's stunned by his sudden first-team break at Warwickshire... because he thought it would take another TWO years.

The teenage sensation has muscled his way into Ashley Giles' plans with some impressive performances, most notably in the Twenty20 Cup.

The all-rounder burst on to the scene with first-class career best bowling figures of 5-59 at Glamorgan earlier this month and has since helped spearhead the Bears' charge towards the Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals.

In his debut season in the short format, the 19-year-old has so far bagged five wickets and may force Giles to keep him in the side when the Twenty20 Cup finishes.

However the modest Great Barr boy's form has even surprised himself because he wasn't expecting to break into the first-team for at least another two seasons.

"I've done a lot better than expected and I'm happy to have been involved in some first team action, it's been really good," said Woakes.

"I always thought that if I was given a chance then I would take it and warrant my place in the first team and play well. But if I'm honest I never really expected to get too many opportunities this year, I was mainly looking towards next year or the year after to get my chance.

"I'm hoping to keep my place after the Twenty20, I had a good performance at Glamorgan in the County Championship which really helped me get my place in the team for the Twenty20 side. If things keep on going well, then I should stay there."

Fellow all-rounder Neil Carter recently dubbed Woakes "the new Dougie Brown", a further sign that the youngster is being groomed for a starring role at Edgbaston.

However the avid Aston Villa fan refuses to get carried away and admits that he's a long way off from being good enough to be compared to popular Scot, Brown.

"Obviously those are some big shoes to fill because Dougie Brown is such a legend at this club. If I get anywhere near that status then I'll be happy.

"I worked with Dougie a bit, when I joined the staff he was just leaving but we managed to have a few chats. He was a good person to pick up tips off. Dougie Brown is an all-rounder as well and I want to work at reaching his level. It's also great having AD to work with as a bowling coach.

Because it's gone better than expected I'm hoping my name is getting around a bit.

"I've had a lot of support from my club Walmley and people who I've worked with have been in touch and offered me a lot of support."

What is most pleasing about Woakes' emergence is that he is a born and bred Brummie, a factor that will also please Giles who is keen on bringing through young homegrown talent.

The former England under-19 international is a product of Warwickshire's Academy and has previously represented Herefordshire in the Minor Counties competition.

He has another year left on his current deal with the Bears but has already pledged his future to his boyhood club after admitting that he's living a dream.

"I'm from Great Barr and I've always supported Warwickshire so by playing for them I'm fulfilling a dream. This is the club where I want to spend my career.

"I've spoken to the other lads and they say there is a bit more of a buzz around the place now that Ashley Giles and AD have come on board."

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