Alastair Cook retirement: England's leading run scorer calls time on illustrious 12-year Test career after final India Test at the Oval
The former skipper of England Alastair Cook has announced his retirement from international cricket. England’s highest Test run-scorer, who said that there is ‘nothing left in the tank’ after an illustrious 12 year career.
The Fifth Test against India at the Oval on friday will be his final international match that brings down the curtain on a career of epic determination, longevity and force of character.
Alastair Cook's greatest series was in Australia in 2010-11, when England won the Ashes away from home for the first time in 24 years where Alastair Cook piled up 766 runs. He retires as the sixth highest run scorer in Test cricket with 12,254 runs with 32 tons and 56 half-centuries to his name.
And what a career it was!
— ICC (@ICC) September 3, 2018
What has been your Cook highlight?#CookRetires #ThankYouChef pic.twitter.com/szGnuAVh77
The 33-year-old Alastair Cook will make his 161st and final Test appearance at the Oval from Friday. Joe Root already won the series through an unassailable 3-1 lead but Cook will continue playing county cricket for Essex.
After the series victory by 60 runs against India Cook cited that “After much thought and deliberation over the last few months I have decided to announce my retirement from international cricket at the end of this Test series against India," as per reported in Indian Express.
“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. 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.
“The thought of not sharing the dressing room, again, with some of my teammates was the hardest part of my decision but I know the timing is right
Alastair Cook retires as England's record Test run-scorer, and sits sixth on the all-time list. He will move up to fifth and pass @KumarSanga2 if he scores 147 runs in his final match.#CookRetires pic.twitter.com/gu5vbhlWy9
— ICC (@ICC) September 3, 2018
"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.”
#MondayMotivaton #CookRetires #ThankYouChef pic.twitter.com/iLmGioEIzF
— ICC (@ICC) September 3, 2018
“There are too many people to thank individually but a special mention must go to the Barmy Army and all supporters for their constant encouragement for the team and also a special mention to Graham Gooch".
“Graham was my sounding board, especially in the early years of my career, spending hour after hour throwing balls at me with his dog stick. He made me realise you always need to keep improving whatever you are trying to achieve".
“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".
“I would also like to thank Essex 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.”
First published: 3 September 2018, 16:50 IST