The end of an era as Chris draws stumps

CHRIS Woakes has announced his retirement from international cricket, a matter of days after England indicated he was no longer in their plans.

- By RORY DOLLARD

The Warwickshire all-rounder’s final act for his country was walking out to bat against India at The Kia Oval last month, one-handed and with his arm in a sling, having dislocated his shoulder in the field.

That injury ruled him out of consideration for this winter's Ashes tour to Australia and, at the age of 36, effectively brought down the curtain on his time with England.

Rob Key, managing director of men's cricket at the ECB, said last week that Woakes was unlikely to feature again and the Bears ace has opted to call time.

“The moment has come, and I’ve decided the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,’ he wrote on Instagram. “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.