Summary Woakes hopes his form will last long enough to persuade his father to conquer his fear of flying.
BIRMINGHAM (AFP) - England all-rounder Chris Woakes hopes his current good form will last long enough to persuade his father to conquer his fear of flying.
The Warwickshire all-rounder heads into Wednesday s third Test at his Edgbaston home ground in arguably the best form of his career.
His father, Roger, saw his son take 11 wickets in England s 75-run defeat in the first Test at Lord s and is set to be among the crowd when the hosts look to go 2-1 up in the four-match series at Edgbaston following their 330-run win in the second Test at Old Trafford.
But travelling overseas is a different story for Roger Woakes, although son Chris hopes that might change if he is selected for England s 2017/18 tour of Australia.
"They (my parents) follow me as much as possible, (but) not overseas -- my dad has never flown at all," said Woakes at an event staged by series sponsors Investec.
"He s never left the country, but (my parents) drive all over the UK.
"He s a little bit claustrophobic, so flying has always been a no-no. He doesn t get in lifts and things like that (either)."
Woakes would be delighted if his father saw him in action in Australia, but thinks it unlikely.
"I don t think I would (be able to persuade him) -- unless he went on a boat," Woakes added.
"I m sure he d love to, but don t think he d be able to. I m sure he ll be happy sat on his sofa watching it on TV with a cup of tea.
"(But) don t get me wrong -- I ll ask the question if I m in the Ashes squad."
Woakes s Test debut at The Oval at the conclusion the 2013 Ashes also presented his father with a problem..
"He always gets the stairs," Woakes explained.
"I booked them a hotel by the river, and they put him on the 17th floor.
"He was in his late 60s then, so he had to get moved -- but they couldn t do it until the next day, so he was walking up and down 17 floors. He was knackered."
