England fast bowler Mark Wood has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on a decade-long career with the national team. The 36-year-old pacer made the announcement on Tuesday, September 22, after medical advice ruled out his return to Test and ODI cricket.
Wood represented England across all three formats between 2015 and 2025 and was an important part of the team’s white-ball success. He played a key role in England’s 2019 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup triumph and was also part of the squad that lifted the 2022 T20 World Cup under Jos Buttler. The Durham pacer’s final international appearance came during the first Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series against Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21 and 22.
Across his England career, Mark Wood featured in 38 Tests, 70 ODIs and 38 T20Is. He finished with 119 Test wickets, 80 ODI wickets and 54 wickets in T20Is, underlining his value across formats despite recurring injury concerns.
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Mark Wood confirmed that medical advice ultimately forced him to accept that his Test and 50-over careers could not continue. “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.”
The fast bowler admitted that, despite repeatedly battling back from injuries throughout his career, this time he was unable to overcome the setback. “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.”
“It feels like the right time.”
England fast bowler Mark Wood explains his decision to retire from international cricket 🚨 pic.twitter.com/elH5Uh1D4M
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 22, 2026
Wood also described representing England as the biggest honour of his career. “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.”
England men’s managing director Rob Key paid tribute to Mark Wood, highlighting his contributions in major tournaments and Ashes series.
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“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. He can look back with enormous pride on a career very well spent.” Wood leaves international cricket with two major ICC titles and a reputation for express pace and determination.
