Announcement
England all-rounder Chris Woakes on Monday announced his retirement from international cricket, days after being left out of the Ashes squad. The 36-year-old said “the moment has come” and that it was the right time to step away, confirming he will continue playing county cricket and explore franchise opportunities.
Career highlights
Across a 15-year England career, Woakes played 62 Tests, scoring 2,034 runs and taking 192 wickets. He also featured in 122 ODIs and 33 T20Is, making 1,524 and 147 runs respectively, and collected a combined 204 wickets in white-ball formats.
Final Test memory
Woakes’ last Test came against India at The Oval, where he bravely walked out to bat with his arm in a sling in a late, unsuccessful attempt to save the match. He called representing England and wearing the Three Lions a childhood dream fulfilled, and said friendships built over the years are his greatest pride.
World champion
Woakes was part of England’s ICC World Cup-winning sides in the 2019 ODI World Cup at home and the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. He described lifting two World Cups and competing in memorable Ashes series as moments he never thought possible.
Family thanks and next steps
In his statement, Woakes thanked his parents, his wife Amie, and daughters Laila and Evie for their unwavering support, and acknowledged coaches, teammates, fans, and staff with England and Warwickshire. He reiterated plans to keep playing county cricket and consider franchise leagues.
Selection call and reactions
England Men’s Cricket Managing Director Rob Key praised Woakes as “one of the finest people to have played the game,” noting his career alongside greats James Anderson and Stuart Broad, while also making the call last week that Woakes was not in England’s plans “at the minute… at all.” ECB Chair Richard Thompson highlighted the image of Woakes walking out to bat with his arm in a sling as proof of his commitment to England and his teammates.
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