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England fast bowler Mark Wood retires from international cricket
Mark Wood retires from international cricket after two World Cup triumphs and 119 Test wickets
England fast bowler Mark Wood has announced his retirement from international cricket.
A two-time World Cup winner and one of the fastest bowlers of his generation, he took 119 wickets in 38 Tests after making his debut against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2015.
Wood, 36, played in four Ashes series and took the wicket to win back the urn at Trent Bridge in his first series in 2015, while his devastating spell at Headingley against Australia in 2023 helped England fight back from 2-0 down to draw that series.
He was central to England’s historic 2019 ICC Men’s World Cup victory on home soil when he claimed 18 wickets for the tournament and topped speeds of 95mph.
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Whole-hearted commitment
His whole-hearted commitment to his country underlined by the fact he continued to bowl at full speed despite suffering a side strain in the final.
Wood took nine wickets in four games as England won the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.
He retires as England Men’s sixth-highest wicket-taker in IT20s with 54 from 38 matches, while he added a further 80 wickets in 70 ODIs.
Wood said: “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.”
PICTURE: PA
The greatest honour
He added: “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.”
Rob Key, managing director of England Cricket, said: “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, two World Cup wins, 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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