England bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 36-year-old, who last featured in the fifth Test against India at The Oval and missed out on selection for the Ashes in Australia, stated that he will keep playing county cricket while also exploring opportunities in franchise leagues.
“The moment has come, and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” Woakes said in a statement. “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. Representing England, wearing the Three Lions and sharing the field with teammates over the last 15 years, many of whom have become lifelong friends, are things I’ll look back on with the greatest pride.
“Making my debut in 2011 in Australia seems like yesterday, but time flies when you’re having fun. Lifting two World Cups and being part of some amazing Ashes series is something I never thought was possible, and those memories and celebrations with my teammates will stay with me forever.
“To my Mum and Dad, my wife Amie and our girls Laila and Evie, thank you for your unwavering love, support and sacrifices over the years. None of this would have been possible without you. To the fans, especially the Barmy Army, thank you for the passion, the cheers and the belief. To my coaches, teammates and everyone behind the scenes – both with England and Warwickshire – your guidance and friendship has meant the world.
“I look forward to continuing to play county cricket and exploring more franchise opportunities in the near future.”
Woakes made his international debut in January 2011 during England’s white-ball tour of Australia, partaking in both T20Is and ODIs. His Test debut came two years later, in the last Ashes Test at The Oval, where he replaced the injured Tim Bresnan.
Across 62 Tests, Woakes bagged 192 wickets, with his best match figures of 11 for 102 against Pakistan at Lord’s and best innings figures of 6 for 17 against Ireland transpiring at the same venue. An aesthetically pleasing batter, he had one Test century to his credit apart from seven fifties.
In ODIs, Woakes earned 122 caps, taking 173 wickets, with a career-best 6 for 45 against Australia in Brisbane during his debut series. He also represented England in 33 T20Is, picking up 31 wickets. His last ODI outing came against Pakistan at the 2023 World Cup, while his final T20I was against West Indies later that year. The three-dimensional cricketer had a role in England’s white-ball renaissance post 2015 and proceeded to lift the ODI World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2022.
During his last hurrah for the country, he dislocated his shoulder but still walked out to bat, rather valiantly, with his left arm in a sling on the last day. While he was focused on rehabilitation with an eye on the Ashes, he missed out on selection. England men’s managing director Rob Key later confirmed that the utility player from Warwickshire was no longer part of their long-term plans.
