Cook calls time on Test career

England veteran Alastair Cook has announced he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Test against India.

In a statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board on Monday, England’s all-time leading run scorer said the time was right to end his career following the match at The Oval beginning Friday, in what will be his 161st Test.

"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," Cook said.

"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.

"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."

The 33-year-old left-hander has endured a difficult home summer, having scored 226 runs at 22.6 with one half-century.

Those difficulties were highlighted in the fourth Test in Southampton, when he was dismissed for 17 and 12 as England won a nail-biter to seal the series with one match to play.

He has averaged 18.62 in 2018 to date, and his form has tailed away in recent years – aside from standout scores of 243 and 244no against West Indies and Australia respectively – with his average of 37.95 since the beginning of 2016 almost seven runs down on his career record.

But his recent struggles aside, Cook as enjoyed a prolific career at the top of the order: In 160 Tests since early 2006, he has scored 12,254 runs at an average of 44.88, including 32 centuries and 56 fifties.

In May 2016, he became the first England batter to reach 10,000 Test runs, with 30 centuries and 55 half-centuries to his name, and enjoyed a five-year stint as Test skipper before resigning in early 2017. 

He stands sixth in the global list of leading Test run-scorers, just above West Indies great Brian Lara.

His 12-year international career has also seen Cook play 92 ODIs – and score five one-day centuries – while he played four T20 Internationals.

Cook has indicated he will continue to play for his county Essex in 2019, while his Test farewell could yet have one final twist with his wife Alice due to give birth to their third child.