England fast bowler Mark Wood has retired from international cricket with immediate effect.
The 36-year-old, who is one of the fastest bowlers of his generation, steps away after years of having his career plagued by injuries.
He spent eight months out following knee surgery before returning to action for the first Ashes Test in Perth last November, only to endure swelling on the same knee after bowling just 11 overs.
He subsequently flew home for treatment and having not played for England since, he has retired from internationals.
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. 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.”
A two-time World Cup winner, he took 119 wickets in 38 Tests after making his debut against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2015.
Wood 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.
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.
Rob Key added: “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.”
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
