Chris Woakes closes 20th season after England farewell
Chris Woakes has finished his 20th season as a professional cricketer as a three-time County Championship winner with Warwickshire, a year after leaving international cricket behind.
The England all-rounder, someone who both bats and bowls to Test standard, announced his international retirement on 29 September 2025 after 15 years at the top Reuters. He spoke about that career in an interview at Edgbaston’s indoor nets published on 15 October 2026 The Guardian.
His final act in an England shirt said a lot about him. In the August Oval Test against India, Woakes walked out at No 11, the last batting position, with his damaged left arm in a sling. England needed 17 more runs to seal a 3-1 series win. He could barely hold the bat.
He had dislocated his shoulder while fielding earlier in that match. It was the same ground where he had made his Test debut 12 years earlier. He was also the only England seam bowler, a pace specialist, to play all five Tests in that series.
The numbers tell a story of steady value. Woakes played 62 Tests for England, taking 192 wickets and scoring 2,034 runs. He won two World Cups with England and played under coaches from Andy Flower through to Brendon McCullum, and for captains Alastair Cook, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
Selection moved past him at the end. He was overlooked for the Ashes series starting in Australia. England men’s managing director Rob Key said he was “not in England’s plans at all” after that omission ESPNcricinfo. Woakes later said he would not push for a recall in 2026 and would see out his playing days in the domestic game.
That domestic game has given him a strong second act. His third County Championship title with Warwickshire, England’s domestic first-class league, came in the season just finished. His autobiography, The Wizard, written with the Guardian’s Ali Martin, covers the same long arc.
What makes this stand out is the lack of fuss. Woakes was never the loudest name on the team sheet. For fans, this means a career best measured in overs bowled, catches held and dressing rooms kept calm.
There were hard months too. He stepped away from cricket in early June 2024 after the death of his father. At 37, he leaves the international stage with his reputation for decency intact and his county sweater still in regular use.
