Mark Wood retires from international cricket

Mark Wood has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 36, bringing the curtain down on a 11-year career in which he won two World Cups and four Ashes series with England.

Wood, who made his England debut as a tearaway quick against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2015, took 119 wickets from 38 Tests. He also finished with 80 wickets in 70 ODIs and 54 in 38 T20Is, making him England’s sixth-highest wicket-taker in the shortest format of the game.

His career included two World Cup triumphs, one in each white-ball format. He played a central role in England’s 2019 ODI World Cup triumph on home soil, taking 18 wickets in the tournament while regularly breaching 95 mph. He also bowled through a side strain in the final at Lord’s as England beat New Zealand in a dramatic Super Over finish.

Three years later, he claimed nine wickets in four matches as England won the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.

Wood also played in four Ashes series. In his first, in 2015, he took the wicket that sealed England’s series victory at Trent Bridge. His return to the Test side in 2023 produced another memorable Ashes moment, with his searing spell at Headingley helping England recover from 2-0 down and eventually draw the series 2-2.

However, a succession of injuries had increasingly limited his availability. He last played for England in the Ashes Test in Perth last November before breaking down with another injury.

Wood said medical advice had ruled out a return to Test and 50-over cricket. "I’ve made the decision to retire from international cricket. Although this may not come as a surprise given the past year, it just feels like a natural time at the end of my contract.

"I've always tried to be resilient and come back from injury to prove people wrong and show everyone what I can do. Unfortunately this time I lost the battle. On medical advice, Test cricket and 50-over cricket are not possible, so the England dream has slowly been ground out of me over the past year.

"Playing for England has been the greatest honour I could have ever wished for and a dream come true. The little lad in me would be so chuffed to have played so much for England. To travel the world, meet incredible people and play against the best, is something I feel incredibly lucky to have done, doing something I have loved.”

England men's managing director Rob Key paid tribute to Wood's impact, particularly in major series and tournaments. “It’s been a privilege to watch the latter part of a great career.

"To have been a point of difference in Ashes series wins, a World Cup, and to have thrilled crowds every time he got the ball in his hand is something very few players achieve. He can look back with enormous pride on a career very well spent.”

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