What went on Chris Woakes' mind on the delivery that injured Rishabh Pant? England pacer says ‘thought he might run…’

Chris Woakes finally broke silence on the delivery that caused Rishabh Pant's toe fracture in the ongoing fourth Test in Manchester, with the England pacer stating he didn't intend to bowl a yorker. The incident took place on the opening day at Old Trafford when the Indian vice-captain attempted a reverse sweep, but missed its line with the delivery landing directly on Pant's right foot. 

Pant, who was batting on 37, immediately went down grimacing in pain before being retired hurt. Immediate visuals showed Pant's foot swelled up with blood oozing from the injured area. The 27-year-old, who couldn't stand on his feet, later took painkillers to come out to bat and scored a half-century to propel India to 358 all in the first innings. 

However, Pant won't be able to keep wickets, with Dhruv Jurel donning the big gloves. Speaking to Sky Sports, Woakes admitted he tried to bowl slow but it came out full on Pant's foot. “I didn’t think it would be a reverse sweep!" Woakes said after the second day's play. 

"I thought he might run at me, so I tried to bowl a slower ball; it came out full and hit him on the foot. It wasn’t intended to be a yorker, but the plan was to take the pace off,” added the England seamer.