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Chris Woakes announces retirement from international cricket

England Men's all-rounder Chris Woakes has announced his retirement from all international cricket with immediate effect.

Woakes, 36, has represented England on 217 occasions after making his Three Lions debut back in 2011.

He took three wickets against New Zealand at Lord's helping England to win the ICC Men's World Cup in 2019.

Woakes was again a World Cup winner in 2022 as England lifted the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, defeating Pakistan in Melbourne.

In 62 Test matches, Woakes took 192 wickets with 5 five-fors and scored a Test century against India at Lord's in 2018. In his 122 ODIs he claimed 173 wickets and 31 wickets in his 33 IT20s.

Announcing his retirement, Woakes said: "The moment has come, and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket.

"Playing for England was something I aspired to do since I was a kid dreaming in the back garden, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived out those dreams.

"Representing England, wearing the Three Lions and sharing the field with teammates over the last 15 years, many of whom have become lifelong friends, are things I’ll look back on with the greatest pride."

Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, said: "Chris Woakes is one of the finest people to have played the game. An extraordinary career carved out alongside two of England’s greatest ever bowlers (James Anderson and Stuart Broad). A man who helped every team he played in, even before he walked onto the field."

ECB Chair, Richard Thompson, said: “The images of Chris walking out to bat with his arm in a sling to try and win a Test match this summer reflected how much he cared about playing for his country and being the best team-mate he could be.

“He has been a gentleman off the field, with the skills and fierce determination to win on it, regularly rising to the occasion on the biggest stage with bat as well as ball. There are so many special memories, from brilliance with the new ball in the 2019 World Cup and winning the T20 World Cup in 2022 to his series-changing impact in the 2023 Men’s Ashes which earned him the player of the series honour.

“We are indebted to have players like Chris represent England and I want to thank and congratulate him for everything he has done in an England shirt for the past 14 years.”