World Cup-winner Mark Wood retires from international cricket

Mark Wood, the 36-year-old England fast bowler, has announced his retirement from international cricket due to prolonged injuries. This marks the end of his 11-year career, during which he amassed 253 wickets across all formats. Wood, who played 38 tests, 70 one-day internationals, and 38 Twenty20s, last represented England in the first test of the 4-1 Ashes series loss to Australia in November.

The cricketer, who has also struggled with persistent ankle and elbow injuries, stated on social media that his decision feels natural, concluding his contract. Despite his resilience and attempts to return from injuries, Wood declared that test cricket and 50-over cricket are no longer feasible, effectively ending his England dream over the past year.

Capable of delivering blistering fast spells, Wood made his England test debut in 2015 and was instrumental in their last Ashes victory in 2015. In the 2021-22 series, he claimed 17 wickets, contributing significantly to England's 50-over World Cup triumph at home in 2019. He also played a pivotal role in the T20 World Cup win in 2022. Wood expressed his hope to continue playing cricket in some capacity and pursue other challenges in the future.