2 hours ago
6
England bowler Chris Woakes has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket after 15 years.
The two-time World Cup winner missed out on the winter Ashes tour after dislocating his shoulder in the fifth Test against India over the summer.
Woakes, 36, is not set to return to action until next year after jarring the joint as he broke a fall with his left hand.
Cruelly, he retires just eight wickets short of 200 - something only 17 others have achieved - after 62 Tests. He is set to see out his career on the domestic circuit.
Woakes said: 'The moment has come and I've decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket.
'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 [one-day international] 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 family, 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 at Warwickshire, who helped me play for my country – your guidance and friendship has meant the world.'
Woakes made his ODI and T20 debuts in 2019 and made his first Test outing in 2013.
He counts the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup among his honours.
In 2019, he took three wickets at Lord's to help beat New Zealand. In 2022, he helped get the better of Pakistan in Melbourne.
All in all, he turned out for England 217 times.
ECB Chair Richard Thompson said: '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 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 honour.
'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.'
