Chris Woakes has made the decision to retire from international cricket following his exclusion from the England squad for the upcoming Ashes series. The 36-year-old allrounder, who expressed his desire to continue playing, has opted to end his 15-year career due to a shoulder injury that prevented his selection to face Australia.
Woakes suffered a shoulder dislocation during the final Test against India at the Oval, leading to his omission from the Ashes squad. Throughout his career, he claimed 192 wickets and scored 2,034 runs in 62 Test matches for England. Notably, he was a key member of the teams that secured the 50-over World Cup victory in 2019 and the T20 World Cup triumph in 2022.
In a statement shared on social media, Woakes reflected on his journey, highlighting his childhood dream of representing England and the pride he felt while wearing the Three Lions jersey. He reminisced about his debut in 2011, his World Cup successes, and the camaraderie shared with teammates that he now considers lifelong friends.
Expressing gratitude to his family for their unwavering support, Woakes also thanked the fans, particularly the Barmy Army, for their passion and encouragement. He acknowledged the role of his coaches, teammates, and the staff at both England and Warwickshire in shaping his career. Looking ahead, he expressed his intention to continue playing county cricket and explore new opportunities in franchise cricket.
Woakes’ retirement decision was influenced by England’s managing director of cricket, Rob Key, who indicated that Woakes was not part of their immediate plans, given the uncertainties surrounding his shoulder injury. Key praised Woakes for his contribution to the game and his impact on the teams he represented, alongside England’s legendary bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Apart from his Test achievements, Woakes also excelled in the white-ball formats, amassing 204 wickets in 155 appearances and playing crucial roles in England’s World Cup victories. Known for his consistency across all formats, he was named player of the series in the 2023 Ashes and was a reliable performer for England throughout his international career.
