Chris Woakes Ends His England Career: Two World Cups, Ashes Glory and 396 Wickets

The England all-rounder and two-time World Cup winner retires from international cricket after a 14-year career 

England seam-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes announced his retirement from international cricket, closing a career that defined England’s modern era.

“The moment has come, and I've decided the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” Woakes wrote on social media. 

“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.”

Since his debut in 2011 against Australia in Sydney, Woakes became one of England’s most reliable multi-format players.

Across 217 appearances, he took 396 wickets and scored 3,705 runs, often delivering in pressure situations with bat and ball.

He was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 2016 and earned England’s Test Player of the Summer award in 2020 for his all-round performances.

His final appearance came earlier this summer in the ICC World Test Championship series finale against India, where he famously batted on the last day with one arm in a sling after dislocating his shoulder — a moment that summed up his grit.

A Career of Defining Performances

Woakes was instrumental in some of England’s biggest victories. 

In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, he took 16 wickets, including three in the final against New Zealand, and contributed 134 runs with the bat to help secure England’s first-ever men’s 50-over world title.

He added another major honor in 2022, playing a pivotal role in England’s T20 World Cup triumph in Australia. 

A consistent performer at home, Woakes averaged 30 with the bat and 22 with the ball in Tests played in England. 

His career-best figures of 6-17 came against Ireland at Lord’s in 2019, while his highest Test score of 137 not out against India at Lord’s in 2018 remains a hallmark of his ability to rescue innings under pressure.

Tributes to a Gentleman Cricketer

Richard Thompson, chairperson of the England and Wales Cricket Board, praised Woakes’ dedication and professionalism. 

“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 teammate he could be,” Thompson said.

“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,” Thompson continued. 

“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.”