Chris Woakes Retires From International Cricket
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the immediate retirement of England Men’s all-rounder Chris Woakes from all forms of international cricket. Woakes, aged 36, concludes a distinguished international career spanning 15 years, having made his debut for England in 2011. He has represented his country in a total of 217 matches.
Woakes played a pivotal role in England’s triumphs on the world stage, claiming three wickets in the final of the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup victory against New Zealand at Lord’s. He was also part of the squad that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2022, defeating Pakistan in melbourne.
Throughout his career, Woakes showcased his all-round abilities, taking 192 wickets in 62 Test matches, including five five-wicket hauls, and scoring a memorable Test century against India at Lord’s in 2018. He also secured 173 wickets in 122 one Day Internationals (ODIs) and 31 wickets in 33 T20 Internationals (IT20s).
“The moment has come, and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” Woakes stated. “Playing for England was something I aspired to do since I was a kid dreaming in the back garden, and I feel incredibly blessed 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.”
Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, lauded Woakes as “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 onto the field.”
ECB Chair, Richard Thompson, highlighted woakes’ dedication, saying, “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.” He continued, “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 honor. 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.”
