Last Updated on 1 hour ago by Charbel Coorey
England fast bowler Mark Wood has retired from international cricket at the age of 36, ending an 11-year career that included two World Cup wins and four Ashes series.
Wood made his England debut against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2015 and quickly built a reputation for his skiddy pace and aggressive bowling. He ended his Test career with 119 wickets in 38 matches, and also picked up 80 wickets in 70 ODIs and 54 wickets in 38 T20Is. In T20Is, he has the sixth-highest number of wickets among England bowlers.
The Durham pacer was part of the English squad in their successful 2019 ODI World Cup campaign at home where he picked up 18 wickets. He bowled regularly over 95 mph during the tournament and also played through a side strain in the final at Lord’s where England beat New Zealand after a dramatic Super Over finish.
Wood added another World Cup medal to his collection in 2022, claiming nine wickets in four matches as England won the T20 World Cup in Australia.
He also played in four Ashes series. He took the wicket that clinched England’s series victory at Trent Bridge in 2015 and his return to the Test side in 2023 produced another memorable display at Headingley. His spell helped England recover from 2-nil down and the series finally ended in a 2-2 draw.
He did have a string of injuries that affected his availability in the latter stages of his career. He was last seen playing for England in the Ashes Test in Perth last November when he picked up another injury. Medical advice has now ruled out a return to Test and 50-over cricket.
Mark Wood on his retirement: “Playing for England has been the greatest honor I could ever have wished for and a dream come true.”
Wood said he had taken the decision after a difficult period with injuries and felt it was time to call time on his international career, speaking in a press release by ECB.
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“I have decided to retire from international cricket. I always try to be resilient and bounce back from injury to prove people wrong, and show everyone what I can do. This may not be a surprise given the last year, but it just seems like the right time at the end of my contract.
“This time I lost the battle, though. Test cricket and 50-over cricket are not possible on medical advice so the England dream has slowly been ground out of me over the past year.
:Playing for England has been the greatest honor I could ever have wished for and a dream come true. The little boy in me would be so chuffed to have played so much for England. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to travel the world, meet incredible people and play against the best, doing something I have loved.”
England men’s managing director Rob Key also lauded Wood’s contribution to the national team. “He was a big part of some pretty big series and tournaments and it was always exciting when he walked on the field,” he said.
“It’s been a privilege to see the latter part of a great career, very few players have been a point of difference in Ashes series wins, a World Cup, and thrilled crowds every time he had the ball in his hand. He can reflect with great pride on a career well spent,” he added.
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