Chris Woakes admits he felt he had to pull out of the rest of the Indian Premier League if he wanted to take part in England's hectic schedule this winter including the T20 World Cup and Ashes tour.
The IPL was suspended in May this year after a rise of Covid cases among players from the eight franchises - including Woakes' Delhi Capitals - but is set to resume on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates.
The final takes place on October 15, eight days before England face reigning champions West Indies in Dubai in a re-run of the 2016 World T20 final.