Mark Wood retires from international cricket after World Cup triumphs, four Ashes series

England fast bowler Mark Wood announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday, bringing an end to an 11-year career marked by two World Cup triumphs, four Ashes series and persistent injury problems.

The 36-year-old was part of England's World Cup-winning teams in the 50-over format in 2019 and the T20 edition in 2022.

Wood also featured in four Ashes series and took the wicket that sealed England's victory and Ashes retention at Trent Bridge in 2015, his first series against Australia.

Injuries increasingly disrupted his career in recent years. Last year, he missed eight months after undergoing surgery on his left knee before returning for the Ashes series in Australia.

He bowled only 11 overs in the first Test before swelling in the same knee forced him to return home for treatment. He has not played for England since.

Wood said the end of his central contract represented the "natural time" to retire.

"I've always tried to be resilient and come back from injury to prove people wrong and show everyone what I can do," Wood said in a statement. "Unfortunately this time I lost the battle.

"On medical advice, Test cricket and 50-over cricket are not possible, so the England dream has slowly been ground out of me over the past year."

Wood, who represents Durham in county cricket, described playing for England as a "dream come true".

"The little lad in me would be so chuffed to have played so much for England," he said. "To travel the world, meet incredible people and play against the best, is something I feel incredibly lucky to have done, doing something I have loved."

Wood finished his international career with 119 wickets in 38 Tests and 54 wickets in 38 T20 internationals. Nine of his T20 wickets came during England's title-winning campaign in Australia in 2022.

He also claimed 80 wickets in 70 ODIs, including 18 at the 2019 World Cup, where he regularly topped speeds of 95 mph as England won the 50-over tournament for the first time.

Rob Key, managing director of England men's cricket, praised Wood's impact on the team and supporters.

"Thrilled crowds every time he got the ball in his hand," Key said. "He can look back with enormous pride on a career very well spent."