England fast bowler Mark Wood retires from international cricket after injury struggles

Mark Wood, England's World Cup-winning fast bowler, has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 36 after a prolonged battle with injuries.

Wood, who was part of England's 2019 ODI and 2022 T20 World Cup-winning teams, also featured in four Ashes series. He took the wicket that sealed the Ashes at Trent Bridge in his first series in 2015.

Injuries have increasingly disrupted Wood's career. Last year, he spent eight months out after undergoing surgery on his left knee before returning for the Ashes series in Australia. He bowled only 11 overs in the first Test before swelling in the same knee forced him to fly home for treatment. He has not played for England since.


Wood said the end of his central contract with England made it the “natural time” to retire.

“I've always tried to be resilient and come back from injury to prove people wrong and show everyone what I can do,” Wood said in a statement. “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.”

The Durham cricketer said representing England had been a “dream come true.”

“The little lad in me would be so chuffed to have played so much for England,” he said. “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.”

Wood's 11-year international career ended with 119 wickets in 38 Tests and 54 wickets in 38 T20s. Nine of his T20 wickets came during England's 2022 World Cup-winning campaign in Australia.

He took 80 wickets in 70 ODIs, including 18 at the 2019 World Cup, where his pace regularly topped 95 mph as England won the 50-over title for the first time.

Rob Key, managing director of England men's cricket, said Wood “thrilled crowds every time he got the ball in his hand.”

“He can look back with enormous pride on a career very well spent,” Key said.