England All-Rounder Chris Woakes retires from international cricket after 15-year career

England’s veteran all rounder Chris Woakes has called time on his international cricket, after 15 years of brilliance. He took to his social media to announce his decision on September 29, 2025.

The decision came just days after Rob Key, managing director of the England cricket team, confirmed that Woakes was no longer in their immediate plans. His omission from the Ashes squad signaled a shift in selection priorities.

Notably, his summer was disturbed by a dislocated shoulder, which he sustained against India. The injury hampered his final effort to get selected for the Ashes tour starting in November.

With a long recovery period, the 36-year-old decided to retire instead of staying on the sidelines. He admitted the decision to exit from the international stage was tough.

Woakes had an extensive career, making a significant impact on the success of England. He played 62 Tests, claiming 192 wickets and scoring 2,034 runs. In ODIs, he played 122 matches, picked up 173 wickets,



while in T20Is, he featured in 33 games, picking up 31 wickets.

He is one of the few modern players named on all three Lord’s Honours Boards, with a Test century and a 10-wicket match at the venue. He was also a key part of England’s 2019 ODI and 2022 T20 World Cup victories. The high of his career came in 2023, when he won the Compton-Miller Medal as Player of the Series in the Ashes.

Woakes also brought a much needed balance to the team. The all-rounder offered a solid new-ball option, while strengthening the batting at seven or eight. In ODIs, he handled both new-ball and death overs. In T20Is, he made an impact against key openers. He was often praised by his coaches and teammates for his calmness on the field.

Although his international career is over, Woakes will probably continue playing for Warwickshire and in franchise leagues. For England, his absence means losing both consistency and calmness. Finding a seam-bowling all-rounder of his quality and his steady presence will be a tough task.