Mark Wood retires from England duty after injury ends international comeback

Mark Wood has retired from international cricket with immediate effect, bringing his England career to an end after repeated injury setbacks. The 36-year-old Durham fast bowler announced his decision on September 22. BBC Sport reported that medical advice had ruled out further Test and 50-over cricket, although Wood still hopes to play the sport in some capacity.

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His final England appearance came in the opening Ashes Test at Perth in November 2025. According to BBC Sport, that return followed 15 months away because of an elbow injury and subsequent knee surgery. He managed only 11 overs before his left knee became swollen, then returned home for treatment. He has not represented England since that match.

In his retirement statement, published by Durham, Wood said the end of his contract felt like the right point to stop. He described repeated attempts to recover and regain his place, but acknowledged that this latest injury struggle had defeated him. He also expressed gratitude for the chance to represent England, travel and compete alongside and against leading players.

The International Cricket Council recorded his career total at 146 appearances across the three formats. Wood took 119 wickets in 38 Tests, alongside 80 wickets in 70 one-day internationals and 54 in 38 Twenty20 internationals. His international career began in 2015; Durham noted that his Test debut came against New Zealand at Lord's that year.

Wood was involved in both England's 2019 one-day World Cup triumph and their 2022 T20 World Cup victory. The ICC credited him with 18 wickets at an average of 25.72 in the home tournament in 2019, followed by nine wickets in four matches during the successful campaign in Australia three years later. Those tournaments formed a major part of his white-ball career.

Durham also highlighted Wood's contribution to four Ashes series, including the wicket that secured England's recovery of the trophy at Trent Bridge in 2015. His bowling at Headingley in 2023 helped England recover from a 2-0 deficit to draw the series. England men's managing director Rob Key paid tribute to Wood's impact in major competitions and the excitement his bowling brought to spectators.