England fast bowler ends international career at 36 after taking 253 wickets across formats.

Mark Wood has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 36, bringing an end to a distinguished England career that was repeatedly interrupted by injuries.

Wood finished with 253 international wickets in 146 matches across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, including 119 wickets at 30.79 in 38 Tests. He will be remembered as one of England’s fastest bowlers and as a key member of teams that won the 2015 Ashes, 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup.

The Durham quick made the announcement on Tuesday morning before joining the broadcast coverage of England’s ODI against Sri Lanka at his home ground, the Riverside.

Injuries bring international career to an end

Wood has played only once since suffering a knee injury during England’s defeat by Afghanistan in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

His sole appearance since then came in the first Test of last winter’s Ashes series, where he bowled 11 wicketless overs before suffering another knee setback.

Wood subsequently decided that the demands of international cricket, particularly the longer formats, were no longer compatible with his ongoing injury problems.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Wood admitted that the repeated setbacks had taken their toll.

“It’s been a long time since Perth, in November, my last game, so it’s been a year-and-a-half where it’s just ground me down to thinking, ‘Look, I’m never going to get back to this level’.”

His three-year England central contract, signed in 2023, expires next week, and Wood was informed that it would not be extended.

A career built on pace and resilience

Wood broke into England’s international set-up in 2015 and quickly became a popular figure among supporters for his wholehearted performances and infectious personality.

One of his earliest major moments came during the 2015 Ashes, when he took the wicket of Nathan Lyon at Trent Bridge to help England seal the series.

His career reached another level after he lengthened his run-up in 2019.

Wood claimed his first Test five-wicket haul against West Indies in St Lucia and subsequently played a crucial role in England’s World Cup triumph on home soil, taking 18 wickets, including the important dismissal of Ross Taylor in the final.

He continued to make an impact across formats, taking 17 wickets during England’s 2021-22 Ashes tour of Australia.

Wood was also instrumental in England’s run to the 2022 T20 World Cup title, taking nine wickets in four matches.

The following summer, he produced one of his most memorable Test performances, taking the Player-of-the-Match award after a devastating spell in England’s victory over Australia at Headingley during the 2023 Ashes.

Three-year central contract

England managing director Rob Key handed Wood a rare three-year central contract in late 2023 in an attempt to keep him committed to international cricket amid the growing demands of franchise T20 cricket.

However, injuries significantly limited his availability.

During the contract period, Wood managed only seven Tests, taking 15 wickets, alongside a limited number of white-ball appearances.

Following the 2025 Champions Trophy, he underwent knee surgery after bowling through the pain barrier against Afghanistan.

England’s medical team subsequently managed his workload carefully ahead of the Ashes, but Wood later acknowledged that he had been nowhere near ready for the first Test.

Another knee problem during that match ultimately proved decisive.

T20 cricket and broadcasting next

Although his international career is over, Wood does not intend to walk away from professional cricket altogether.

He plans to continue playing T20 cricket for Durham and in franchise leagues, while also developing his broadcasting career.

Wood has already established himself as a popular and knowledgeable broadcaster and has also completed work towards his Level 3 coaching qualification.

He hopes to resume bowling next month as his recovery continues, with the possibility of playing franchise cricket during the upcoming winter.

However, he said the longer formats, including one-day cricket, were no longer possible on medical advice.

“Unfortunately, this time I lost the battle”

Wood said he had always tried to return from injuries and prove himself again, but acknowledged that the latest setback had finally forced him to step away.

“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.”

Despite his impressive statistics and major tournament successes, Wood said he would prefer to be remembered for his contribution to the England dressing room.

“I’d love to just be remembered for being great amongst the lads in the dressing room, a great team-mate, and someone that tried their absolute best all the time.”

He added with characteristic humour: “And I could bowl fast!”

Wood leaves international cricket as a three-time global champion, an Ashes winner and one of England’s most recognisable fast bowlers of his generation.