Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket aged 36 after it became clear that the dislocated shoulder he suffered against India in August would rule out any chance of an Ashes trip this winter.

‘The moment has come,’ he said in a statement in which he looked back on a career that brought him 62 Test caps, 192 wickets at a fraction under 30, and a pair of World Cup winner’s medals from 2019 and 2022. 

As recently as 2023, he was player of the series in the Ashes, having helped inspire England’s fightback from 2-0 down with 19 wickets in three Tests at just 18 apiece.

In England, he took 148 Test wickets at 23 – a lower average than either of the two greats – and played a crucial role in the 2019 World Cup final win over New Zealand, when his figures of three for 37 were the best in the game.

Abroad, he was less prolific, struggling with the lack of swing and seam on offer, though in that – among English bowlers, at least – he was hardly alone.

England’s Chris Woakes has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket 

He injured his shoulder over the summer against India, ruling him out of the winter Ashes

Woakes, seen with his wife Amie Louise, won two World Cups including the one in 2019 

He was also a borderline all-rounder, good enough to take a Test century off India at Lord’s and average 25. Woakes’s presence at No 8 always lent the England line-up an air of solidity.

It was somehow fitting that his final act was to walk out with his arm in a sling as England made a brave effort to chase down 374 to beat India at The Oval. Wincing as he ran between the wickets, he helped Gus Atkinson take England within seven runs of victory.

England’s managing director Rob 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 onto the field.’

Woakes intends to continue in county cricket for Warwickshire, his local club, and remains available for hire on the T20 franchise market. 

It is, though, as a Test seamer, that he will be most fondly remembered, making the Dukes ball do his bidding at 84mph and tangling the best players in knots with his accuracy and movement.

Woakes’ statement continued: ‘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 teammates over the last 15 years, many of whom have become lifelong friends, are things I’ll look back on with the greatest pride.

‘Making my [one-day international] debut in 2011 in Australia seems like yesterday, but time flies when you’re having fun.

He was also part of the victorious England team in 2022 at the T20 World Cup 

‘Lifting two World Cups and being part of some amazing Ashes series is something I never thought was possible, and those memories and celebrations with my teammates will stay with me forever.

‘To my family, my wife Amie and our girls Laila and Evie, thank you for your unwavering love, support and sacrifices over the years. None of this would have been possible without you.

‘To the fans, especially the “Barmy Army”, thank you for the passion, the cheers and the belief. To my coaches, teammates and everyone behind the scenes – both with England at Warwickshire, who helped me play for my country – your guidance and friendship has meant the world.’