Alastair Cook has announced that he will retire from international cricket at the conclusion of England's Test series against India. 

Cook, 33, is England's leading runscorer in Test history and also boasts more centuries than any other England batsman. 

The Essex opener said of his decision: “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.

“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."

The first of Cook's England teammates to speak about his retirement is Stuart Broad, who has played a huge number of games alongside the opener as a captain and teammate. 
 
"Not enough words to describe what a legend Cooky is," said Broad in a tweet. Fairly apt for the medium, I suppose!

Cook's long-time team-mate Graeme Swann told BBC Radio 5 Live: "He's one of the nicest men alive. He's almost massively overachieved. His natural physical prowess isn't that of a sportsman and yet he's the holder of all these batting records.

"He runs like Woody from Toy Story, his back's ready to snap in half. He once batted with a broken leg on tour and got a hundred, because he did not dare tell (then head coach) Andy Flower that he'd done it at a water park.

"This bloke's a hero in my eyes. He's a dear friend. I'm so glad that this is the right time. They've won the series against India, he's not in the greatest form.

Source: The independent

BDST: 1759 HRS, SEP 3, 2018
AP