Mark Wood retires from international cricket due to knee injury

England fast bowler Mark Wood announced his retirement from international cricket on September 22, 2026, citing a recurring knee injury that left him unable to continue at the highest level. The 36-year-old confirmed the decision in an Instagram post and in an interview with Sky Sports, saying medical advice had ruled out further Test and 50-over cricket for him. Wood's final international appearance came in the first Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series in Perth against Australia, which England lost by eight wickets. He bowled 11 overs in that match before suffering a recurrence of the knee injury that had sidelined him since surgery on his left knee in March 2025, and he did not play again in the series. In his Instagram post, Wood wrote that he had always tried to be resilient and come back from injury, but that "unfortunately this time I lost the battle." He added that on medical advice, Test cricket and 50-over cricket were not possible, and that the England dream had been "ground out of me over the last year." Speaking to Sky Sports, Wood said the decision had been difficult, straightforward and emotional, and that the injuries had finally worn him down.