Alastair Cook: Essex batsman announces retirement from Test cricket
Video report by ITV News Anglia's Donovan Blake
England batsman Alastair Cook has announced that he will retire from international cricket following the fifth Test against India later this week.
The 33-year-old is England's most-capped player and is also their all-time leading run-scorer.
However, he has struggled for form in the current series against India, and has now decided to call time on his glittering international career.
“Although it is a sad day, I can do so with a big smile on my face knowing I have given everything and there is nothing left in the tank," he said in a statement.
"I have achieved more than I could have ever imagined and feel very privileged to have played for such a long time alongside some of the greats of the English game.
“I have loved cricket my whole life from playing in the garden as a child and will never underestimate how special it is to pull on an England shirt. So I know it is the right time to give the next generation of young cricketers their turn to entertain us and feel the immense pride that comes with representing your country."
Cook's incredible achievements
Most Tests for England (160)
Most Test runs for England (12,254)
Most Tests as captain for England (59)
Most Test centuries for England (32)
Sixth on the all-time list of Test run-scorers
Most consecutive Test appearances by any player (158)
Cook has hit 12,254 runs and made 32 centuries for England and is sixth on the all-time list of Test run-scorers.
He made his debut at the age of 21 in 2006 against India in Nagpur, and scored a century in only his second innings.
The opener went on to captain England in 59 Test matches, before resigning in February 2017.
Perhaps fittingly, he will bring down the curtain on his career in an England shirt against the same opponents at The Oval on Friday, although he is still planning to play for his county Essex next season.
“My family and I have had 12 wonderful years fulfilling my dreams and this could not have been done without them. So I wish to thank my parents and brothers, my wife, Alice, and her family for their quiet, unwavering support behind the scenes. As cricketers, who travel frequently, we often don’t realise just how important our families are to our success," he said.
"I would also like to thank Essex County Cricket Club for their help and support ever since I was 12, and I can’t wait to get fully involved with them in the 2019 season.
“I wish the England team every success in the future, and I will be watching with great excitement.”
Social media tributes to Cook