Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant couldn’t resist a cheeky nod to old rivalries when England all-rounder Chris Woakes announced his international retirement this week. Pant, the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batter, shared a fun Instagram story wishing Woakes well—while poking light fun at the moment Woakes once bowled him into injury.
Remember that dramatic fifth Test in Manchester earlier this year? Pant tried a reverse sweep off Woakes and ended up with a fractured foot. In his post, Pant wrote: “Happy Retirement, Woakesy. You have been amazing on the field. Lots of discipline, a big smile and always good vibes. Now you can finally give that bowling arm a rest, and my foot too. You definitely left a mark on me before retirement. Wishing you a fantastic journey ahead in whatever you choose.”
Woakes, 36, called time on a stellar 14-year international cricket career on Monday, wrapping up 217 matches for England. The seasoned player helped his team lift two major trophies: the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. Across formats, he snagged 396 wickets and scored 3,705 runs, making him England’s eighth-highest wicket-taker ever.
In Test cricket, Woakes shone bright, especially at home. He played 62 Tests, grabbing 192 wickets at an average of 29.61—including five five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match haul. With the bat, he notched 2,034 runs at 25.11, complete with a century and seven fifties. On English soil, his numbers popped even more: 148 wickets in 39 Tests at 23.87, plus 1,275 runs at 27.71.
Woakes broke the news on social media, saying, “The moment has come, and I have decided the time is right for me to retire from international cricket.” He reflected on his journey: “Playing for England was something I aspired to do since I was a kid dreaming in the back garden, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived out those dreams. Representing England, wearing the Three Lions and sharing the field with teammates over the last 15 years, many of whom have become lifelong friends, are things I will look back on with the greatest pride.”
Looking ahead, Woakes isn’t hanging up his boots entirely. He’s keen to keep playing county cricket for England and explore franchise leagues around the world.
Fans got one last glimpse of his fighting spirit during England’s recent ICC World Test Championship series against India. In the fifth Test at The Oval, Woakes battled through a dislocated shoulder, even coming out to bat one-handed on the final day with his arm in a sling. What a way to bow out from international cricket—talk about leaving everything on the field.
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