Chris Woakes has officially retired from international cricket following his omission from the England squad for the upcoming Ashes series. The 36-year-old allrounder, who expressed a desire to continue playing, has decided to end his nearly 15-year career due to a shoulder injury that prevented his selection to face Australia.
Woakes sustained a shoulder dislocation during the final Test against India at the Oval, leading to his absence from the Ashes squad. Throughout his tenure, he claimed 192 wickets and accumulated 2,034 runs in 62 Tests for England. Notably, he played a pivotal role in England’s victories at the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2022.
In a statement on social media, Woakes shared, “The time has come for me to retire from international cricket. Representing England has been a lifelong dream, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have fulfilled that dream. The camaraderie with teammates, winning two World Cups, and participating in memorable Ashes series are experiences that I will cherish forever.”
Expressing gratitude to his family, fans, teammates, and support staff, Woakes acknowledged their unwavering backing throughout his career. He expressed excitement about continuing his cricket journey at the county level and exploring new opportunities in franchise cricket.
Woakes’ retirement decision came after Rob Key, England’s managing director of cricket, indicated that Woakes was not in consideration for future selection, primarily due to his recent injury and timeline for recovery. Key praised Woakes for his exceptional career and contribution to English cricket, highlighting his impact alongside legendary bowlers such as James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Aside from his Test accomplishments, Woakes excelled in white-ball cricket, claiming 204 wickets in 155 appearances across different formats. His standout performances in the 2023 Ashes series and consistent contributions in all three formats solidified his reputation as a dependable player for England.
