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.
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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.
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Hussain: He never let England down
Former England captain Nasser Hussain praised Woakes’ courage for coming out to bat with one hand, and his bravery in stepping into the firing line against India earlier this summer.
“As Woakes walked out, three or four of the India players patted him on the shoulder,” Hussain said at the time. “Luckily the right shoulder, not the left. I know a few who would have gone and touched the dodgy shoulder!
“As was the case with Rishabh Pant, once you’re out there it’s open season. If you’re going to go out there and get runs, you’re in the firing line – you’re going to get bouncers and people aiming at you.
“Every single run he took, he was in agony. He didn’t end up facing a delivery but as Joe Root said, he would have been distraught if he didn’t go out there. He will never, ever let England down and he certainly didn’t today.”
During the India series, England captain Ben Stokes told Sky Sports there was never a question in Woakes’ mind about batting while injured.
“When the situation arose, there was never a question in Woakesy’s mind,” Stokes said. “He spent [the day before the final day of fifth Test] trying to figure out whether he’d bat left- or right-handed if he had to face up.
“We’ve had guys go out with broken feet and fingers and now we’ve had someone walk out with a dislocated shoulder. It shows what it means to play for your country and to fight to win games.
“It’s been a hard-fought series and I’m sure Shubman Gill is just as proud of his players as I am of mine.”