Alastair Cook has retired from professional cricket after a career spanning more than 20 years. The former England skipper has released a lengthy statement after finishing his final season with Essex at the age of 38.
Cook leaves the game having scored more Test runs for England than any other player and fifth on the all-time list of men’s Test cricketers. He hit 33 centuries in his 12,472 runs before retiring from the international game in 2018, memorably bowing out with a century at the Oval.
He is also third on the list for the most Test appearances for his country, beaten only by Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. Cook captained England on 59 occasions in Tests, second behind Joe Root for the most matches as skipper.
Cook committed to playing for his county Essex after giving up international honours. He helped them win the County Championship Division One title in 2019, two years after their last success.
Speculation grew at the end of this season that Cook was set to retire but Essex confirmed talks would be held at the end of the campaign. And now the club have confirmed in a lengthy statement from Cook that he has called it a day.
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Cook admitted it was a difficult decision to decide to hang up his bat for good. He said: “It is not easy to say goodbye. For more than two decades, cricket has been so much more than my job. It has allowed me to experience places I never dreamed I would go, be part of teams that have achieved things I would never have thought possible and, most importantly, created deep friendships that will last a lifetime.
“From the eight-year-old boy who first played for Wickham Bishops Under 11s to now, I end with a strange feeling of sadness mixed with pride. Although above all, I am incredibly happy.
“It is the right time for this part of my life to come to an end. I have always given absolutely everything I possibly have to be the best player I could be, but now I want to make way for the new generation to take over.”
Cook made his first-team debut for Essex in May 2003 and his first-class bow came later that year. He hit a century on Test debut against India in March 2006 and finished his international career with a hundred against the same opponents 12 years later.
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Cook will be greatly remembered for hitting 766 runs in the 2010/11 Ashes series as England won Down Under for the first time in 24 years. As well as his Test exploits, Cook won 92 ODI caps for England, scoring over 3000 runs.
Cook went on to thank everyone at Essex as well as his family in the statement. He also paid tribute to England fans for their support during his international career and beyond.
He added: “Although my England career came to an end in 2018, I remain blown away by the amount of affection I receive from England supporters. Wherever I have travelled, you have been there with your enthusiasm, kind words and unshakable belief. English cricket really does have the best fans in the world.
“I will never underestimate the privilege I have had to play cricket. I will always be grateful for what the game has given to me.
“Now, I hope the Bedfordshire Farmers will find space for a has-been ‘all-rounder’ somewhere in their lower order. Good luck to England in the World Cup, I look to forward to supporting the team for many years to come.”
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