Chris Woakes' father has passed away: 'It's times like this that perspective is at its greatest'
![Chris Woakes](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetsport.com%2Fimage-library%2Fland%2F700%2Fe%2Fengland-chris-woakes-may23.webp&w=3840&q=75)
England all-rounder Chris Woakes has revealed he is mourning the loss of his father as he explained his recent absence from cricket.
The 35-year-old did not feature for the Punjab Kings in the IPL and at the end of April and was left out of England's squad for the T20 World Cup.
In a post on social media, Woakes wrote: "The last month has been the most challenging of my life when unfortunately my dad passed away at the beginning of May.
"I've spent the last few weeks with the people more important to me, my family. We're all obviously grieving and trying to get through what is undoubtedly the hardest moment in our lives.
"It's times like this that perspective is at its greatest.
"I will be back playing cricket for Warwickshire, who my dad loved dearly, when the time is right for me and my family.
"I know playing cricket for Warwickshire and England made my dad incredibly proud. I look forward to doing that again in the near future."