Cook to retire from international duty after fifth Test against India
Says in press release he has "nothing left in the tank"
Cook captained England 59 times in his 160 Tests
Opener has scored 12,254 Test runs at average of 44.88
So who has scored more runs than Alastair in Test cricket? Well as you can hopefully see, Cook's record stands very favourably with the world's best, and if he could manage 147 more runs in his final Test appearance this week he would pass Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara as the fifth leading all-time Test run-scorer.
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Chuck in Hungerford: Through my childhood there were few certainties in life; tea every morning, homework, and Alastair Cook at the top of the order. A true England hero, and am I right in saying he's never scored a six in a Test match? What. A. Man.
No he's got 11 of them Chuck. And a remarkable 1,420 fours.
ECB chairman Colin Graves has paid his tributes this morning, commenting: "Alastair’s selfless dedication to the England cause and his desire to succeed are an object lesson to any professional cricketer. As our highest ever Test run-scorer and most capped player, he fully deserves to be remembered as one of England’s greatest ever cricketers."
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special
There have not been many players that we've had like Alastair Cook.
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Tattz in Bentley Heath: Feeling very emotional about Cook's retirement today. It's hard to think of a professional sportsman who has blended so well decency and determination, guts and good manners. He is the Clark Kent of Cricket, England's superman in so many matches. I wish him all the best.
Alastair - thank you for the memories.
A very good description there Tattz.
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Alec Stewart
Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 live
He scored runs all over the world and in pressure situations. There is a mental toughness that has got him through these tough times.
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Andy in Birmingham: I remember excitedly discussing Cook's debut ton with friends during lunch at school. Twelve years on I've watched him play numerous Tests with those same friends, and they were the first I messaged upon hearing the news. The man largely defines my memories to date of English cricket. What an era.
In 2015, Cook passed Graham Gooch's 20-year record as England's leading runscorer.
Gooch has played a key role in Cook's development and in his statement announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Cook said: "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.
"As a seven year-old I queued for his autograph outside Essex County Cricket Club and years later was so fortunate to have him mentoring me. 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."
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Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Radio 5 live
He is one of the nicest men alive. He has turned himself into a record holder of all these batting records. He is a dear friend and I'm so glad this is the right time for him.
Even if he was in bad nick there was always a tantalising thought that he would score a double hundred. He has broken every record - if only he could catch I would have another 50 wickets!
There is a reason why he has lasted so long. He always put in 100% but would look and appreciate the other side of life.
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So what are your memories of Alastair Nathan Cook in an England shirt? Where does he rate among your favourite players? Statistically, as we have seen, there are not many England records he doesn't hold.
Please share your views via #bbccricket or text to 81111.
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Alec Stewart
Ex-England captain on BBC Radio 5 live
I think he has timed it perfectly. He will still go out as England's greatest run scorer. We won't fully appreciate him until he has gone.
He has broken all these records, he is the heartbeat of the team in such an unassuming way. There is some madness in opening the batting and he has done it so well. In all the fitness tests Alastair was at the top.
If someone breaks that England runs record then they will be a very good player and it will take them a long time to get there. He always stayed fit, there have been times when he has needed a big score and he has shown how mentally strong a player he is.