England all-rounder Chris Woakes has officially retired from international cricket, bringing an end to a decorated 15-year career that saw him become a key figure across all formats. The 36-year-old announced his decision on Monday after being left out of the upcoming Ashes series in Australia.
Woakes said the time felt right to step away from the international stage. “Playing for England was a dream I’ve lived since childhood,” he shared in a heartfelt statement on social media. “Wearing the Three Lions and playing alongside incredible teammates will remain among my proudest memories.”
A World Cup winner in both ODI (2019) and T20 (2022) formats, Woakes featured in 62 Tests, 122 ODIs, and 33 T20Is. He retires with 192 Test wickets, a Test century, and numerous match-winning performances with both bat and ball.
His recent injury—a dislocated shoulder suffered during a match against India—combined with England’s evolving squad plans, contributed to the timing of his decision. Despite this, Woakes expressed enthusiasm for continuing his career in county cricket and possibly exploring T20 franchise opportunities.
Tributes poured in from the cricketing world. England Cricket Board (ECB) chair Richard Thompson praised Woakes’ courage and commitment, recalling his iconic moment walking out to bat with a sling this summer. Team director Rob Key described him as “one of the finest people to have played the game,” and credited him for lifting every team he was part of—even before stepping onto the field.