Chris Woakes retires from international cricket after 15-year England career
England bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 36-year-old last appeared in the Oval Test against India and was subsequently overlooked for the Ashes in Australia.
England all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing down the curtain on a distinguished 15-year career in which he lifted both the ODI and T20 World Cups and established himself as one of the most dependable figures in English cricket.
The 36-year-old, who last played in the Oval Test against India and missed out on selection for the subsequent Ashes tour, confirmed he would continue to represent Warwickshire in county cricket while also seeking opportunities in franchise leagues.
"The moment has come, and I've decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket," Woakes said in a statement. "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.
"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 teammates will stay with me forever.
"To my Mum and Dad, 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 and Warwickshire - your guidance and friendship has meant the world.
"I look forward to continuing to play county cricket and exploring more franchise opportunities in the near future."
Woakes made his international bow in January 2011 on England's limited-overs tour of Australia, featuring in both ODIs and T20Is. His Test debut followed two years later at The Oval, where he replaced the injured Tim Bresnan in the final Ashes match.
Across 62 Tests, Woakes took 192 wickets, including best match figures of 11 for 102 against Pakistan at Lord's and best innings figures of 6 for 17 against Ireland at the same venue. With the bat, he scored one Test century alongside seven fifties.
In ODIs, he represented England 122 times, taking 173 wickets, with a career-best 6 for 45 against Australia in Brisbane during his debut series. He also played 33 T20Is, picking up 31 wickets. His last ODI appearance came against Pakistan at the 2023 World Cup, while his final T20I outing was against West Indies later that year. Woakes was central to England's white-ball resurgence after 2015 and went on to lift the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.
His final Test came against India at The Oval, where he dislocated his shoulder but still returned to bat with his left arm in a sling on the last day. Although he underwent rehabilitation to be fit for the Ashes, he was not selected, with England men's managing director Rob Key confirming Woakes was no longer in their long-term plans.
England all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing down the curtain on a distinguished 15-year career in which he lifted both the ODI and T20 World Cups and established himself as one of the most dependable figures in English cricket.
The 36-year-old, who last played in the Oval Test against India and missed out on selection for the subsequent Ashes tour, confirmed he would continue to represent Warwickshire in county cricket while also seeking opportunities in franchise leagues.
"The moment has come, and I've decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket," Woakes said in a statement. "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.
"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 teammates will stay with me forever.
"To my Mum and Dad, 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 and Warwickshire - your guidance and friendship has meant the world.
"I look forward to continuing to play county cricket and exploring more franchise opportunities in the near future."
Woakes made his international bow in January 2011 on England's limited-overs tour of Australia, featuring in both ODIs and T20Is. His Test debut followed two years later at The Oval, where he replaced the injured Tim Bresnan in the final Ashes match.
Across 62 Tests, Woakes took 192 wickets, including best match figures of 11 for 102 against Pakistan at Lord's and best innings figures of 6 for 17 against Ireland at the same venue. With the bat, he scored one Test century alongside seven fifties.
In ODIs, he represented England 122 times, taking 173 wickets, with a career-best 6 for 45 against Australia in Brisbane during his debut series. He also played 33 T20Is, picking up 31 wickets. His last ODI appearance came against Pakistan at the 2023 World Cup, while his final T20I outing was against West Indies later that year. Woakes was central to England's white-ball resurgence after 2015 and went on to lift the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.
His final Test came against India at The Oval, where he dislocated his shoulder but still returned to bat with his left arm in a sling on the last day. Although he underwent rehabilitation to be fit for the Ashes, he was not selected, with England men's managing director Rob Key confirming Woakes was no longer in their long-term plans.
