Affirming his retirement from international cricket, Chris Woakes closes a distinguished career spanning numerous formats and winning acclaim as one of England’s most reliable all-arounders. The 36-year-old’s choice follows his missed Ashes team and ongoing shoulder injury sustained earlier this year.
Having first played for England in 2011, Chris Woakes developed over the next 15 years into a dependable presence for his country. His influence derived from consistency, whether with the new ball in home conditions or providing crucial lower-order runs as needed, not from showy antics. Over 62 Test appearances, he took 192 wickets and ran more than 1,600 runs, including a century at Lords.
He also contributed significantly to limited-overs cricket. Chris Woakes, part of England’s World Cup-winning team in 2019, provided crucial spells that assisted in generating the team’s historic success at Lord’s. He was also very valuable throughout the 2022 T20 World Cup run, hence underlining his adaptability in modern forms.
The most renowned portion of his Test career may be seen in the 2023 Ashes, when his powerful performances with both bat and ball resulted in him being the Series Player on the Compton-Miller Medal. His reputation as a cricketer who thrived on responsibility, often stepping forward in tense situations, was confirmed that summer. Still, the end came faster than most people expected. Woakes’ dislocated shoulder during the Test against India earlier this year restricted his availability and, coupled with England’s path toward future planning, eventually resulted in his exile from the Ashes journey.
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Last week, England men’s cricket manager Rob Key confessed that Woakes was “not in our plans at the moment,” a remark hinting at the announcement. Proudly reflecting on his path in his farewell statement, Woakes stressed the honor of wearing the England badge and the friendship among his colleagues. Although he will withdraw from the global scene, he is still scheduled to play in franchise and local cricket.