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Mark Wood, England’s fastest ever bowler, has announced his international retirement after finally admitting defeat in an injury battle of 18 months.
Wood, 36, played only once - the Ashes Test defeat in Perth last November - after breaking down with a left knee issue during the Champions Trophy in late February 2025.
He put himself through intensive rehabilitation to get fit for last winter’s Ashes, but it ended in anguish when his body reacted badly to him bowling at close to maximum speed in the first innings of the eight-wicket loss to Australia.
It was his ability to produce 90mph pace without much in the way of build-up that persuaded England’s selectors to gamble on him against the Australians, throwing him into the first Test despite reporting discomfort in an internal practice match - but he managed just 11 overs and sported a knee brace post match.
Wood was ruled out of the 4-0 series drubbing on December 9, saying he was ‘gutted’ but it was not for the want of trying.
Now, having spent the summer trying to prolong his career under the guidance of knee consultant Simon Ball, he is calling time on a career that produced high-octane theatre on the international stage and 118 Test wickets at a cost of 31 runs each.
Mark Wood made his last Test appearance in the first Test at Perth last November
'When you speak to other people, they say it hits you in the face, there’s a big feeling around that being it, "you’re done",' he told Sky Sports.
'I’ve never really had that, I love playing cricket, I love playing for England, that’s been something I’ve felt really strongly about and proud to do. But I’ve had a lot of injuries.
'I’ve always found a way where I’ve believed I’d come back and had that resilience where I’m going to come back again, or I’ll be better, or I’ll prove somebody wrong again, but this time it’s just ground me down really.
'It’s been a long time since Perth, that was in November 2025 my last game, so it’s been a year and a half really where it’s just sort of ground me down to thinking I’m never going to get back to that level.
'Plus the contract situation. My contract ends in September, and I think it just feels like the right time.
'I never really wanted to give up England, but the lads that are coming through are doing a fantastic job and the news should be about the lads going to get their contracts and I can just focus on other things.'
A decision to have ‘tidy-up’ surgery in July appears to have been his last throw of the dice, after becoming frustrated with taking a patient approach to a return. ‘How long is a piece of string? It was improving, but slowly, slowly,’ he said, of his rehabilitation prior to undergoing the knife.
Wood was a member of England’s 2019 and 2022 World Cup-winning teams in 50-over and T20 cricket respectively, but it was as much for his 100 per cent commitment to bowling fast that makes him stand out from any other player of his generation.
Two years ago, he produced a delivery of 97.1mph against West Indies at Trent Bridge, while his average speed was 91.2mph - the highest recorded in a Test match on British soil.
The newly-retired Wood embraces one-day captain Harry Brook ahead of Tuesday's game against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street
Twelve months earlier, he was man of the match with seven wickets at Headingley as England defeated Australia to keep their hopes of an Ashes comeback alive.
Wood’s Test record against Australia, in fact, was better than his overall return and he was the visiting bowler that came out with the most credit from the 2021-22 Ashes when he claimed 17 scalps in four appearances. His hopes of reprising his role in next year's home series, though, are now over.
Hugely popular with supporters for his affable personality and fulsome heart, it is understood he is paying homage to his north-east roots by saying goodbye to the game at his home ground of Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, during England’s one-day series opener against Sri Lanka.
Wood’s central contract runs out next week and it is anticipated that he moves straight from dressing room to commentary box with a more regular role with Sky Sports, for whom he has worked on several occasions this summer.
England managing director Rob Key paid tribute to the departing Wood, saying: '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, 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.'
