A career ended by the body
Mark Wood, the England fast bowler, has retired from international cricket because of a knee injury. The 36-year-old leaves the game with 119 wickets from 38 Test matches. His last appearance for England came in an eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the opening Test of the 2025/26 Ashes series, where the same knee problem that had kept him out returned and ended his involvement in the rest of the series. He had spent eight months recovering from knee surgery before that comeback in Perth, and swelling in the joint appeared after he had bowled only 11 overs. He flew home for treatment and never played for England again.[S1][S2]
Wood made his international debut in 2015 in limited-overs cricket and went on to appear in 70 one-day internationals, 38 T20 internationals and four Ashes series. He was part of England's 50-over World Cup-winning squad in 2019, taking 18 wickets in that campaign and bowling above 95mph, and he claimed nine wickets in four games during the 2022 T20 World Cup triumph in Australia, although injury prevented him from playing in the semi-final and final. In Tests he also produced a destructive spell against Australia at Headingley in 2023 that helped England recover from 2-0 down to draw the series, and in his debut series in 2015 he took the wicket at Trent Bridge that reclaimed the urn.[S1][S2]
A decision ground out over a year
Wood described the decision as difficult, straightforward and emotional at once, saying that other players had told him retirement hits them suddenly but that he had never experienced that feeling because he loved playing cricket and representing England. He said he had always believed he could return from injury, improve or prove people wrong, but that this time the problem had worn him down. He noted that nearly a year and a half had passed since his last game in Perth in November 2025, and that his contract ends in September, which made the moment feel right. He added that he never wanted to give up England but that younger players are performing well and the news should focus on them receiving contracts while he turns to other things.[S1][S2]
Wood admitted he probably returned too early and rushed back for the Perth Test, saying he was desperate to play there because it was the fastest wicket, and that he had also targeted Brisbane. He said he had little time back on his legs, that his hamstring became extremely tight during the warm-up game because it was compensating for his knee, and that he was heavily taped up. He explained that after a second operation things improved but not enough for him to believe he could play Test cricket or 50-over cricket, though he would still love to play 20-over cricket for England. He said the injury never felt quite right and that he was not the same bowler in Australia.[S1][S2]
What comes next
Rob Key said it had been a privilege to watch the latter part of a great career, describing Wood as a point of difference in Ashes series wins and two World Cup wins who thrilled crowds whenever he had the ball, and adding that he can look back with enormous pride on a career very well spent. Wood will join the Sky Sports commentary team for Tuesday's one-day international between England and Sri Lanka in Durham, which is live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 12pm with the first ball at 12.30pm.[S1][S2]
