England paceman Mark Wood retires from international duty after injury battles

By SABC Sport
22nd September 2026

England fast bowler Mark Wood has made the decision to retire from international cricket with immediate effect after being plagued by injuries.

The 36-year-old took 253 wickets in 146 international matches across all three formats and will be remembered as one of England's fastest-ever bowlers.

Wood has not played any cricket since November last year in the Ashes, and has spent the nine months on the sidelines due to swelling on his knee.

The paceman played a pivotal role in England's 2019 ODI World Cup triumph on home soil, taking 18 wickets during the campaign, and was also part of the 2022 T20 World Cup victory in Australia where he took nine wickets across four matches.

He will also be remembered in the longest format where took 119 wickets at an average of 30.79 in 38 Tests, often bowling quick spells that contributed to an Ashes win at home in 2015.

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."

England director of cricket 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."