Chris Woakes has made the decision to retire from international cricket following his omission from the England squad for the upcoming Ashes series. The 36-year-old allrounder, who expressed interest in continuing, has ended his nearly 15-year career due to a shoulder injury that prevented him from being selected to play against Australia.

Woakes suffered a shoulder dislocation during the final Test against India at the Oval, leading to his absence from the Ashes squad. Throughout his 62 Test matches for England, he claimed 192 wickets and scored 2,034 runs. He was a key player in England’s triumphs at the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2022.

In a social media post, Woakes expressed gratitude for his time representing England and the unforgettable moments shared with teammates. He acknowledged the support of his family, including his parents, wife, and children, for enabling his career. Woakes also thanked the fans, especially the dedicated Barmy Army, as well as his coaches and colleagues for their guidance and camaraderie.

Despite Woakes’ desire to continue playing, England’s managing director of cricket, Rob Key, revealed that Woakes was not part of the Ashes plans due to the shoulder injury. Key praised Woakes as a remarkable individual who contributed significantly to English cricket alongside renowned bowlers like James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

In addition to his Test contributions, Woakes excelled in white-ball cricket, capturing 204 wickets in 155 appearances across various formats. He played a crucial role in England’s World Cup victories and was recognized for his performance in the 2023 Ashes series. Woakes’ retirement marks the end of a distinguished career marked by dedication and skill on the field.