Chris Woakes Announces Retirement from International Cricket After 14-Year Career

Chris Woakes, one of England’s most respected allrounders of the modern era, has announced his retirement from international cricket, drawing the curtain on a distinguished 14-year career that spanned across all three formats. The 36-year-old made the decision after failing to recover fully from a shoulder dislocation suffered during the fifth Test against India at The Oval earlier this summer. Omitted from England’s Ashes squad last week and told he was no longer in the selectors’ long-term plans, Woakes confirmed his retirement in a heartfelt statement posted on Instagram.

A Glittering Career Comes to a Close

“It’s the moment I knew would come eventually, and I’ve decided the time is right to retire from international cricket,” Woakes said. “Playing for England was something I dreamed of as a child in the back garden, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived those dreams. Representing England, wearing the Three Lions, and sharing the field with teammates who became lifelong friends are moments I’ll always look back on with pride.”

Woakes made his England debut in the 2010-11 tour of Australia, featuring in T20Is and ODIs, before earning his Test cap at The Oval in the 2013 Ashes. Fittingly, his final England appearance also came at The Oval, in the summer of 2025, when he courageously walked to the crease with his arm in a sling, desperate to help his team salvage victory against India.

Across 62 Tests, 122 ODIs, and 33 T20Is, Woakes claimed 396 international wickets, placing him eighth among England’s all-time wicket-takers. With the bat, he added valuable runs, including a memorable Test hundred against India at Lord’s in 2018.

Double World Cup Champion

Perhaps Woakes’ most enduring legacy lies in England’s white-ball revolution. He was a central figure in the team that lifted the 2019 World Cup on home soil, where his new-ball spells and composure under pressure proved vital. His 3 for 20 in the semi-final against Australia at Edgbaston remains one of his finest performances, setting the stage for England’s triumph in the dramatic final at Lord’s.

Three years later, Woakes once again stood tall in a World Cup, helping England capture the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. That double achievement placed him among a select group of cricketers to have won both limited-overs crowns, cementing his status as one of the most decorated players of his generation.

Ashes Heroics and Test Match Consistency

Although often overshadowed by James Anderson and Stuart Broad, Woakes carved out his own legacy in Test cricket. He proved especially lethal in English conditions, where his seam movement and ability to extract bounce made him a constant threat. In 2016, he enjoyed a breakthrough summer, taking 34 wickets in six Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan at an average of 17.20.

His crowning Test achievement came during the 2023 Ashes series. Returning to the side midway through the campaign with England 2-0 down, Woakes turned the tide. His crucial wickets and calm batting contributions earned him the Player of the Series award, as England fought back to draw 2-2 in one of the most thrilling contests in recent memory.

In 2024, he continued to lead the attack with distinction, claiming 32 wickets at 24.09. However, injury struck again during the 2025 India series, and despite his brave attempt to bat with one arm in the final Test, it became clear his international career had reached its natural end.

Humility and Dedication

Woakes was not only admired for his skill but also for his professionalism and humility. Known in the dressing room as a calm and selfless figure, he consistently put the team’s needs before his own. ECB chair Richard Thompson paid tribute, saying:

“The images of Chris walking out to bat with his arm in a sling this summer reflected how much he cared about playing for his country and being the best team-mate he could be. He has been a gentleman off the field and fierce on it, regularly rising to the occasion on the biggest stage. From his brilliance in the 2019 World Cup to his series-changing role in the 2023 Ashes, he has left an indelible mark on English cricket.”

Rob Key, England Men’s managing director, echoed those sentiments: “Chris Woakes is one of the finest people to have played the game. He carved out an extraordinary career alongside two of England’s greatest ever bowlers. A man who helped every team he played in, even before he walked onto the field.”

Personal Gratitude

In his retirement statement, Woakes thanked his family for their unwavering support. “To my Mum and Dad, my wife Amie, and our girls Laila and Evie, thank you for your love and sacrifices. 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 and Warwickshire — your guidance and friendship has meant the world.”

Woakes also made clear that while his international journey is over, he intends to continue playing at the domestic and franchise level. “I look forward to carrying on with Warwickshire and exploring franchise opportunities in the future,” he said.

A Career of Quiet Greatness

Woakes’ career may not always have attracted the headlines of some of his teammates, but his consistency, versatility, and sportsmanship made him a cornerstone of England’s success in all formats. Whether delivering with the new ball, steadying the middle order with the bat, or simply setting standards in the dressing room, he embodied the qualities every team craves.

For England supporters, memories of Woakes’ match-winning spells, his calmness under pressure, and his gentlemanly conduct will endure. He leaves the international stage with 396 wickets, two World Cups, and countless treasured moments, standing proudly as one of England’s most admired cricketers of the 21st century.

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