Chris Woakes ends his international cricket journey

Chris Woakes ends his international cricket journey

The 36-year-old England all-rounder Chris Woakes has retired from international cricket following his omission from this winter's Ashes squad. He played 62 Test matches, 122 One-day internationals and 33 T20Is for his country.

England’s dependable bowling allrounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 36. He last played for England in the Oval Test against India, where he batted with a dislocated shoulder on the final day. Despite his efforts to recover in time for the Ashes, he was not selected, and England’s managing director Rob Key later confirmed Woakes was no longer part of their long-term plans. Woakes will continue playing county cricket and is open to joining franchise leagues around the world.

In a heartfelt statement, Woakes said the time felt right to step away from international cricket. He described playing for England as a childhood dream come true and expressed deep pride in wearing the Three Lions. He thanked his teammates, many of whom became lifelong friends, and reflected on the joy of sharing the field with them over the past 15 years.

Woakes recalled his debut in 2011 during England’s tour of Australia and said it felt like yesterday. He highlighted his role in winning two World Cups ODI in 2019 and T20 in 2022 and being part of a memorable Ashes series. These moments, he said, were beyond anything he had imagined and would stay with him forever.

He also paid tribute to his family his parents, wife Amie, and daughters Laila and Evie for their love and sacrifices. Woakes thanked the fans, especially the Barmy Army, for their passion and support, and acknowledged the coaches and staff at England and Warwickshire for their guidance and friendship.

Woakes played 62 Tests, taking 192 wickets, including a match-winning 11 for 102 against Pakistan at Lord’s. He scored one Test century and seven fifties. In ODIs, he featured in 122 matches and claimed 173 wickets, with best figures of 6 for 45 against Australia. He also played 33 T20Is, picking up 31 wickets. His final ODI was against Pakistan at the 2023 World Cup, and his last T20I came against West Indies later that year.

Woakes was a key figure in England’s white-ball revival post-2015 and leaves behind a legacy of skill, resilience, and sportsmanship. His contributions across formats and his calm presence on and off the field made him one of England’s most respected cricketers.