ALASTAIR COOK has introduced his retirement from skilled cricket, ending a sensational 20-year profession.
Prepare dinner, 38, retired from Take a look at cricket again in 2018 however has continued enjoying at county degree for Essex.
Alastair Prepare dinner has introduced his retirement from skilled cricketCredit score: PA
Prepare dinner is England’s all-time main runs scorerCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
However England’s all-time main run-scorer noticed his Essex contract expire on the finish of the 2023 season.
And he has now confirmed he won’t lengthen his keep within the sport.
In an announcement, he mentioned: “It isn’t straightforward to say goodbye. Cricket has been a lot greater than my job.
“It has allowed me to expertise locations I by no means dreamed I might go, be part of groups which have achieved issues I might by no means have thought doable and, most significantly, created deep friendships that can final a lifetime.
“From the eight-year-old boy who first performed for Wickham Bishops Below-11s to now, I finish with a wierd feeling of disappointment combined with pleasure. Above all, I’m extremely joyful.”
He went on so as to add: “It’s the proper time for this a part of my life to come back to an finish.
“I’ve all the time given completely every little thing I presumably might should be one of the best participant I could possibly be, however now I need to make means for the brand new era to take over.
“I’ll by no means underestimate the privilege I’ve needed to play cricket. I’ll all the time be thankful for what the sport has given to me.
“Now, I hope the Bedfordshire Farmers will discover area for a has-been ‘all-rounder’ someplace of their decrease order.”
Prepare dinner made his Essex debut in 2003, earlier than occurring to look for England two years later.
He scored a century in his second innings for his nation – the primary of 33 throughout his Take a look at profession.
He appeared in 161 Assessments – 159 of which have been performed consecutively – a world file.
In whole, he amassed 12,472 runs for England and captained his nation for 5 years between 2012 and 2017.
He captained England’s residence Ashes wins in 2013 and 2015 – both facet of a 5-0 hammering in Australia.
However his most memorable Ashes got here within the 2010/11 version when he scored 766 runs Down Below as England claimed their solely away collection win since 1986/87 – with Prepare dinner named the Participant of the Collection.
He retired from Take a look at cricket on the age of 33, marking his farewell with a century towards India in his ultimate match.