Mark Wood retires from international cricket

England fast bowler Mark Wood has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 36. The decision follows a long-standing battle with persistent injuries, including knee, ankle, and side strain issues. Wood stated that on medical advice, playing Test and 50-over cricket is no longer possible, noting, “this time I lost the battle.”

Over an 11-year international career, Wood became known as one of the fastest bowlers in the world, frequently clocking speeds over 95 mph. His career highlights include being a key member of England’s 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup winning squad and the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup winning team. He also played a vital role in several Ashes series, including the 2015 victory and the 2023 series draw.

Wood finishes his international career with 146 appearances and 253 wickets across all formats, including 119 wickets in 38 Tests, 80 wickets in 70 ODIs, and 54 wickets in 38 T20Is. While retiring from the international stage, he intends to continue playing for his county side, Durham, and participating in global T20 franchise leagues.