Photo via The Times of India

Chris Woakes autobiography: Ex-England seamer slams Rob Key over 'shabby' exit

Former England fast bowler Chris Woakes has opened up in his autobiography about the abrupt and public manner in which he was excluded from the team’s future plans. Despite playing 217 international matches—including 62 Tests—and making a final red-ball appearance during the fifth Test against India at The Oval in August 2025, Woakes was omitted from England’s Ashes squad after dislocating his shoulder while fielding.

His decision to retire immediately followed, as he felt the omission was handled with unnecessary bluntness by England’s managing director, Rob Key, who publicly stated Woakes was 'not in our plans at all.'

Woakes acknowledged the professional detachment in sports but criticized the lack of a private conversation before the announcement, noting the words may not have been intended as harshly as they came across. The two have had minimal contact since, though Woakes remains open to discussing the matter later.

England’s subsequent 4-1 Ashes defeat to Australia added to the bitterness of the moment for Woakes, who reflected on the experience in *The Wizard*, his memoir.

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