London: England all-rounder Chris Woakes on Monday announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing down the curtains on a 15-year career disrupted by a serious shoulder injury.
The 36-year-old confirmed his decision in a statement, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru also acknowledging the move.
Woakes injured his left shoulder while fielding during the fifth Test against India at The Oval earlier this summer. Diving near the boundary, he dislocated the joint and was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the match. Though he returned to bat one-handed in the second innings, the injury placed him on the brink of surgery and forced him to miss the upcoming Ashes. With England turning to a younger core, Woakes admitted the timing compelled him to step aside.
His international record reflects consistency across formats. In 62 Tests, Woakes claimed 192 wickets and scored 2,034 runs, including a century at Lord’s. He played 122 ODIs, taking 173 wickets, and featured in 33 T20Is for 31 wickets. Notably, he is one of the few modern cricketers to feature on all three Lord’s Honours Boards, courtesy of both a Test hundred and a 10-wicket match haul.
Woakes was also part of England’s 2019 ODI and 2022 T20 World Cup triumphs, playing decisive roles with the ball. His standout year came in 2023, when he won the Compton-Miller Medal as Player of the Series in the Ashes.
Known for his control with the new ball and lower-order resilience, Woakes was widely regarded as a tactical balance to England’s line-up. While retiring from international duty, he is expected to continue for Warwickshire and in franchise leagues.