London – England fast bowler Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) indicated he was no longer part of their future plans.
The 36-year-old all-rounder confirmed the news in an Instagram post, reflecting on a career that saw him become a consistent and valuable performer across formats for England.
“The moment has come, and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” Woakes wrote. “Playing for England was something I aspired to do since I was a kid dreaming in the back garden, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived out those dreams.”
A Heartbreaking Final Chapter
Woakes’s final appearance for England came last month against India at the Oval. In a memorable but poignant scene, he walked out to bat one-handed with his arm in a sling, having dislocated his shoulder while fielding. He did not face a ball as India won the match by six runs to level the series at 2-2.
That shoulder injury ruled him out of consideration for England’s upcoming Ashes tour to Australia, and at his age, effectively brought the curtain down on his England career.
Rob Key, managing director of men’s cricket at the ECB, had hinted at the decision last week, stating that Woakes was unlikely to feature again in the Test setup.
Woakes ends his international career having taken 192 wickets in 62 Tests and scoring over 2,000 runs at an average of more than 25, solidifying his reputation as a reliable bowler and a capable middle-order batsman.
England is scheduled to face Australia in a five-Test Ashes series starting in Perth on November 21.
