(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
England’s Chris Woakes Announces Retirement from International Cricket
England’s seasoned pacer Chris Woakes has officially retired from international cricket after more than a decade of service, marking the end of a remarkable career that saw him shine across all formats.
Woakes, 36, played his final match last month against India at The Oval, where he bravely came out to bat one-handed with his arm in a sling after dislocating his shoulder. He did not face a delivery, and India went on to clinch the match by six runs to level the series.
The injury also ruled Woakes out of the upcoming Ashes tour to Australia, and with England signaling that he was no longer in their future plans, the all-rounder chose to call time on his international journey.
A Distinguished Career
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Debut: 2013 in Test cricket
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Stats: 192 wickets in 62 Tests, plus 2,000+ runs at an average of 25
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White-ball record: 33 T20 internationals and 122 ODIs
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Highlight: A pivotal role in England’s 2019 ICC World Cup victory
Woakes’s Farewell Message
In a heartfelt Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) post, Woakes wrote:
“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 since I was a kid dreaming in the back garden. Representing England, wearing the Three Lions, and sharing the field with my teammates are moments I’ll always cherish.”
Tributes from the Cricketing World
Rob Key, Managing Director of Men’s Cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), praised Woakes, saying:
“Chris Woakes is one of the finest people to have played the game. He carved out an extraordinary career alongside legends like James Anderson and Stuart Broad, always helping his team both on and off the field.”
ECB Chairman Richard Thompson added:
“Chris has always been a gentleman off the field, with the skills and fierce determination to win on it. His courage to walk out and bat with a sling during the Oval Test summed up his commitment to England.”
What’s Next for Woakes?
Though stepping away from the international stage, the Warwickshire bowler plans to continue playing county cricket and is open to exploring opportunities in global franchise leagues.
England will now begin preparations for the five-match Ashes series against Australia, starting November 21 in Perth.
