England quick brings curtain down on an 11-year career

LONDON: England fast bowler Mark Wood has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a career repeatedly affected by injuries.

The 36-year-old, one of England’s fastest-ever bowlers, took 253 wickets in 146 international matches across all formats, including 119 wickets at an average of 30.79 in 38 Test matches.

Wood made his England debut in 2015 and played a key role in the team’s 2019 50-over World Cup triumph.

He was also part of England’s squad that won the 2022 T20 World Cup, although an injury ruled him out of the semi-final and final.

Wood’s most recent appearance for England came in the first Test of the 2025/26 Ashes series, when England suffered an eight-wicket defeat against Australia. It was his first Test appearance in 15 months, but his comeback lasted only 11 overs.

The fast bowler was forced out of the second Test after suffering swelling in his knee and was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series.

“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,” Wood said in a statement on social media.

“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.”

Wood said medical advice had ruled out a return to Test and 50-over cricket.

“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 last year,” he said.

“Playing for England has been the greatest honour I could have ever wished for and a dream come true.”

England managing director Rob Key praised Wood’s contribution to the national team.

“It’s been a privilege to watch the latter part of a great career,” Key said.

“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.”

Wood leaves international cricket as one of England’s most dangerous pace bowlers, having played a significant role in the team’s success across multiple formats despite his long-running injury problems.