Chris Woakes calls time on England career after missing out on Ashes squad

Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket, a matter of days after England indicated he was no longer in their plans.

Woakes’ final act for his country was walking out to bat against India at the Kia Oval last month, one-handed and with his arm in a sling, having dislocated his shoulder in the field.

That injury ruled him out of consideration for this winter’s Ashes tour to Australia and, at the age of 36, effectively brought down the curtain on his time with England.

Rob Key, managing director of men’s cricket at the ECB, said last week that Woakes was unlikely to feature again and the all-rounder has opted to call time.

“The moment has come, and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

“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 team-mates over the last 15 years, many of whom have become lifelong friends, are things I’ll look back on with the greatest pride.

“I look forward to continuing to play county cricket and exploring more franchise opportunities in the near future.”

The image of Woakes walking out to face the Indian attack despite being unable to grip the bat in both hands – England eventually lost the game and he was not required to face a ball – will go down as a fitting farewell for a player known as a selfless team man.

But he also leaves with significant achievements, including a leading role in the 2019 World Cup victory and the prestigious Compton-Miller Medal for his starring role in the 2023 Ashes.

Awarded to the player of the series, Woakes picked up the honour after taking 19 wickets at 18.14 in his three matches.

He bows out with 62 Test caps, 122 ODIs and 33 T20s, totalling 396 wickets across formats. He was also a solid batter and made his only international century against India in 2018.

Woakes spent much of his career working skilfully in the shadows of James Anderson and Stuart Broad and was ultimately denied the big send off afforded to the pair.

But in lifting two world titles he achieved more than either in the limited-overs arena and bows out with a remarkable home record in Test cricket, claiming 148 wickets at 23.87, and averaged 27.71 with the bat.

On the flip side he never managed to replicate that mastery overseas, where his numbers dropped to 48.93 and 21.68, and seven Tests in Australia added little but frustration.

Responding to his 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. A man who helped every team he played in, even before he walked on to the field.”

ECB chair Richard Thompson added: “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. 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.”