Chris Woakes criticizes Rob Key over exit from England

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 18, 2026, 6:00 AM

Last updated Oct 18, 2026

Chris Woakes criticizes Rob Key over exit from England
Summary

Chris Woakes, in his autobiography, criticized Rob Key for the manner of his removal from England's cricket plans. Woakes described the announcement as 'cold' and 'shabby', stating that he expected a private discussion rather than a public declaration. He reflected on his final appearance for England during the fifth Test against India at The Oval in August 2025, where he injured his shoulder but still batted. Following his omission from the Ashes squad, Woakes announced his retirement from international cricket. He acknowledged the lack of loyalty in professional sports, noting minimal contact with Key since the incident.

Source Links
By the Numbers
  • •Woakes played his last Test in August 2025 against India.
  • •He felt blindsided by Key's public announcement.
  • •Woakes retired from international cricket after being omitted from the Ashes squad.
  • •Woakes described the interaction as lacking professionalism.
  • •There has been little communication between Woakes and Key since.
Latest Updates
  • 6:00 AMYahoo Sports — Chris Woakes autobiography: Former England seamer slams Rob Key over 'shabby' exit
What they're saying
"

Woakes, who played 217 international matches for England across formats, including 62 Tests, made his final red-ball appearance during the fifth Test against India at The Oval in August 2025. Despite dislocating his shoulder while fielding, he came out to bat in a bid to help his team.

Related Teams & Leagues

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days