English cricketer Chris Woakes has officially retired from international cricket following his exclusion from the England squad for the upcoming Ashes series. The 36-year-old allrounder, who expressed a desire to continue, made the decision to end his illustrious 15-year career after being sidelined due to a shoulder injury he sustained during the final Test against India at the Oval.
Woakes, known for his contributions with both bat and ball, leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having taken 192 wickets and scored 2,034 runs in 62 Test matches for England. He was a key member of the teams that clinched the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2022.
In a heartfelt social media post, Woakes reminisced about his childhood dreams of playing for England and expressed gratitude to his family for their unwavering support throughout his career. He also extended his thanks to the loyal fans, teammates, coaches, and everyone involved behind the scenes for their role in his journey.
Despite missing out on the Ashes squad and a central contract, Woakes remains positive about his future in cricket, aiming to continue playing at the county level and exploring new opportunities in franchise cricket.
England’s managing director of cricket, Rob Key, acknowledged the challenges Woakes faced, especially with the timing of his injury, which ultimately led to his exclusion from the Ashes squad. Key praised Woakes for his significant contributions to English cricket and highlighted his professionalism and impact on the game.
Woakes, who also excelled in the white-ball formats, showcased his versatility by taking 204 wickets in 155 appearances. His standout performances in the 2023 Ashes series and consistent displays across all formats underscore his value to the England team over the years.