England bowler Chris Woakes has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket.
The 36-year-old last week missed out on selection for England’s upcoming Ashes series in Australia as he battled to recover from suffering a dislocated shoulder in the final home Test of the summer against India.
That fixture at The Oval, which saw Woakes bravely come out to bat with his left arm in a sling as England slipped to a narrow defeat, was the 62nd and final appearance of a Test career that began in 2013.
Having made his international debut in 2011 in limited-overs cricket, Woakes made 122 one-day international appearances and was part of England’s 50-over World Cup-winning squad in 2019. He also played 33 T20 internationals and won the World Cup in the shorter format in 2022.
In a statement posted on social media on Monday, Woakes said: “The moment has come, and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket.
“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 team-mates over the last 15 years, many of whom have become lifelong friends, are things I’Il 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 team-mates will stay with me forever.”
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Woakes’ final wicket in international cricket came when he dismissed India’s KL Rahul at The Oval
‘Image of Woakes in a sling shows how much he cared’
Woakes finishes his Test career with 192 wickets at an average of 29.61, with a player-of-the-series award for the 2023 Ashes among his finest achievements. His batting ability was also of huge value to England, with Woakes scoring a sole Test century to go along with seven fifties as he averaged 25.11 with the bat.
In the white-ball format, Woakes took 173 wickets in ODI cricket with 95 not out being his highest score, and he also has 31 wickets in T20 cricket.
“The images of Chris walking out to bat with his arm in a sling to try and win a Test match this summer reflected how much he cared about playing for his country and being the best team-mate he could be,” said Richard Thompson, England and Wales Cricket Board chair.
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We head back to 2019, where Woakes took six wickets for just 17 runs against Ireland at Lord’s
“He has been a gentleman off the field, with the skills and fierce determination to win on it, regularly rising to the occasion on the biggest stage with bat as well as ball.
“There are so many special memories, from brilliance with the new ball in the 2019 World Cup and winning the T20 World Cup in 2022 to his series-changing impact in the 2023 men’s Ashes which earned him the player-of-the-series honour.
“We are indebted to have players like Chris represent England, and I want to thank and congratulate him for everything he has done in an England shirt for the past 14 years.”
Rob Key, the managing director of England men’s cricket, added: “Chris Woakes is one of the finest people to have played the game. An extraordinary career carved out alongside two of England’s greatest-ever bowlers [James Anderson and Stuart Broad]. A man who helped every team he played in, even before he walked on to the field.”
Wood: My greatest cricketing moments have had Woakes in them
Woakes’ team-mates Mark Wood, Jos Buttler and Jason Roy also commented on his retirement post.
Wood said: “Usually I think messaging privately is best but for this I think everyone who reads it deserves to know what a brilliant bloke and player you were to play alongside.
“Nearly all of my greatest cricketing moments have had you in it in some way shape or form. You’ll be a huge miss for the team and for me personally. You did England proud mate! Congratulations.”
Buttler added: “What a career mate and what a man!! An honour to play with you. Congratulations on everything you achieved for England.”
Roy said it was an “absolute pleasure” to share the field with Woakes.
Atherton: Woakes’ retirement makes sense
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Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton looks back at Chris Woakes’ international career and pays tribute to a ‘top class’ cricketer’ following his retirement
Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton believes Woakes’ retirement isn’t surprising after he wasn’t selected for England’s winter Ashes tour to Australia.
“Once Rob Key announced his Ashes squad, it didn’t seem as though Chris Woakes was in England’s thoughts. It makes sense to do what he’s done today,” Atherton told Sky Sports News.
“I mean, to be honest, at The Oval when he dislocated his shoulder, those amazing scenes of him coming down the steps with his arm in his sling, it felt like it was going to be a struggle for him after that, because the time between then and the Ashes was too soon.
“He opted not to have an operation to try and get fit for the Ashes, but was not deemed to be fit enough to be selected.
“He’s 36 now. As Rob Key said, an Ashes series tends to start a new cycle afterwards. So once he’s not going to go on this winter’s tour, it would seem unlikely at that age that they’re going to be looking to him initially in Test cricket after the Ashes.
“So it’s no surprise that he’s retired, but it’s been a fantastic career.”
Atherton praised Woakes’ longevity, noting in particular England’s 2019 and 2022 World Cup wins as some of the highlights for the pace bowler.
“Woakes is one of those cricketers that you never hear a bad word said about,” Atherton added.
“He’s incredibly popular and a top-class cricketer. His average at home is better than that of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
“A fantastic performer with the Dukes ball at home. A bit more of a struggle for him away from home. Good enough batter to have scored a Test match 100 as well.
“There are some cricketers like Joe Root, who just stand out the moment they arrive and you just know that they’re going to play 100 Test matches. I wouldn’t say you thought that with Chris Woakes. Sometimes, you just don’t quite know how a player is going to cope with scrutiny and pressure.
“So I think if you go on to play more than a couple of hundred times for your country, both Tests and limited overs games, that’s a testament not only to your ability, but to your temperament as well. You don’t get picked for England without being a good player.”
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26🏏
All times UK and Ireland
- First Test: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
- Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground