Chris Woakes autobiography: Ex-England seamer hits out at Rob Key over ‘shabby’ exit

Chris Woakes runs between the wickets with his arm in a sling as he bats on the fifth day of the 5th Rothesay Test Match at The Kia Oval on August 4, 2025 in London, England. (Photo/Getty Images) Former England fast bowler Chris Woakes described the way he was told he was no longer part of England’s plans as ‘cold’ and ‘shabby’ and said chief executive Rob Key was able to speak to him privately before making the announcement.Woakes, who has played 217 international matches for England across formats, including 62 Tests, last appeared with the red ball 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.However, the effort did not earn him a place in England’s Ashes squad. Woakes subsequently announced his immediate retirement from international cricket.In his autobiography The Wizard, Woakes reflected on how England had moved on from him. While he accepted his omission from last year’s Ashes squad and the end of his England contract, he was hurt when Key publicly announced he was no longer in the team’s plans.“Chris Woakes is not in our plans,” Key said, adding, “not at all.” Looking back on the comments, Woakes wrote, as quoted by The Guardian: “That last bit was a bit cold. A bit shabby, really.”Woakes stopped short of directly criticizing Key, suggesting the words may not have been intended as they came across.“I always got on well with Rob and maybe the words escaped me, not necessarily the way he meant them. But he could have had that conversation with me first and not the press,” Woakes wrote.The two have had little contact since the incident, Woakes added, while acknowledging that professional sport often leaves little room for loyalty.“We’ve barely spoken since then. He’s a busy man and he’s moved on to other things. I’m sure we’ll discuss it at some point. But there’s not much loyalty in any professional sport because the game goes on,” added Woakes.England’s Ashes campaign later ended with a 4–1 defeat to Australia.