Chris Woakes retires from international cricket to end 15-year England career

Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing to a close a near 15-year England career that delivered two World Cup wins and an abundance of memories in the Test arena.

The 36-year-old had been eyeing a spot on this winter’s Ashes tour as the senior pro among England’s fast bowlers, only for the dislocated shoulder suffered during the fifth Test against India this summer to rule him out.

With his central contract not being renewed by England this month – team director Rob Key expects a “new cycle” for the Test side to begin next summer – Woakes has opted against pushing for a recall in 2026 and will instead see out his playing days on the domestic circuit.

“The moment has come and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” said Woakes in a statement on Monday.

“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.”

Widely dubbed “the nicest man in cricket” – teammates mainly knew him as “The Wizard” – Woakes retires with 192 wickets from 62 Tests, a place on all three honours boards at Lord’s (century, five wickets in an innings, 10 wickets in a match), a Compton-Miller medal from the 2023 Ashes, plus 204 wickets from 155 caps in the white-ball formats.

A mainstay of the England side that won the 50-over World Cup in 2019 under Eoin Morgan – attack leader and player of the match in the semi-final victory over Australia – Woakes was one of five players in the XI who then went on to secure its Twenty20 equivalent in late 2022.

Success in Test cricket came chiefly at home, where he finessed 148 wickets at 23.47 — a lower average than either Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad, despite their monopoly of the new ball. A strike-rate of 47 on English soil is bettered only by Fred Trueman and Bob Willis among past greats.

All this culminated in a player of the series performance during the 2023 Ashes, Woakes entering at 2-0 down and claiming 19 wickets to help to secure a draw. He also averaged 25 with the bat in Test cricket, with seven half-centuries and a career-best 137 not out against India in 2018.

Woakes continued: “Making my [one-day international] 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 family, 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 at Warwickshire, who helped me play for my country – your guidance and friendship has meant the world.”

A one-club man to date, Woakes is in negotiations with Warwickshire over a new county contract. Having opted against surgery on his shoulder – something which gave him a slim chance of making the Ashes tour – he could yet appear in franchise T20 cricket this winter.

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