England all-rounder Chris Woakes announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday. This comes only a day after his name was excluded from the Ashes squad that will tour Australia later this year.
Woakes had a career that spanned 15 years, in which he represented England in 62 Tests, picking 192 wickets and scoring 2,304 runs.
The 36-year-old also played 122 ODIs and 33 T20Is, grabbing 173 and 31 wickets, respectively.
“The moment has come, and I've decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” Woakes said.
The pace all-rounder final appearance for England was in the Test against India at the Oval where he came out to bat with his arm in a sling following a shoulder injury, attempting to prevent the visitors from etching a series-levelling win in the fifth Test.
“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,” he said.
Woakes won the World Cup with England in 2019 at home and was also the part of the country's T20I World Cup triumph at Australia in 2022.
“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. I look forward to continuing to play county cricket and exploring more franchise opportunities in the near future,” he said.
Why did Chris Woakes announce his retirement?
Chris Woakes, who is already 36 years old was snubbed from the Ashes squad that will travel to Australia later this year. Post the announcement, England Men's Cricket's Managing director Rob Key said the all-rounder was not in their plans "at all".
“He was running out of time to be ready for the start for the Ashes. And then once you get out of an Ashes series, you're often looking at the next cycle, really. So Chris Woakes isn't in our plans at the minute… at all,” Key had said after the Ashes squad announcement.
Following the retirement announcement, Key said, “Chris Woakes is one of the finest people to have played the game. An extraordinary career carved out alongside two of England’s greatest ever bowlers (James Anderson/Stuart Broad). A man who helped every team he played in, even before he walked onto the field.”
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.”
Woakes had a career that spanned 15 years, in which he represented England in 62 Tests, picking 192 wickets and scoring 2,304 runs.
The 36-year-old also played 122 ODIs and 33 T20Is, grabbing 173 and 31 wickets, respectively.
“The moment has come, and I've decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” Woakes said.
The pace all-rounder final appearance for England was in the Test against India at the Oval where he came out to bat with his arm in a sling following a shoulder injury, attempting to prevent the visitors from etching a series-levelling win in the fifth Test.
“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,” he said.
Woakes won the World Cup with England in 2019 at home and was also the part of the country's T20I World Cup triumph at Australia in 2022.
“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. I look forward to continuing to play county cricket and exploring more franchise opportunities in the near future,” he said.
Why did Chris Woakes announce his retirement?
Chris Woakes, who is already 36 years old was snubbed from the Ashes squad that will travel to Australia later this year. Post the announcement, England Men's Cricket's Managing director Rob Key said the all-rounder was not in their plans "at all".
“He was running out of time to be ready for the start for the Ashes. And then once you get out of an Ashes series, you're often looking at the next cycle, really. So Chris Woakes isn't in our plans at the minute… at all,” Key had said after the Ashes squad announcement.
Following the retirement announcement, Key said, “Chris Woakes is one of the finest people to have played the game. An extraordinary career carved out alongside two of England’s greatest ever bowlers (James Anderson/Stuart Broad). A man who helped every team he played in, even before he walked onto the field.”
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.”
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