England and Ashes legend retires from cricket aged 38 after incredible 20-year career and gives emotional statement
ALASTAIR COOK has announced his retirement from professional cricket, ending a sensational 20-year career.
Cook, 38, retired from Test cricket back in 2018 but has continued playing at county level for Essex.
PAAlastair Cook has announced his retirement from professional cricket[/caption]
Cook is England’s all-time leading runs scorerGetty Images – Getty
But England’s all-time leading run-scorer saw his Essex contract expire at the end of the 2023 season.
And he has now confirmed he will not extend his stay in the sport.
In a statement, he said: “It is not easy to say goodbye. Cricket has been so much more than my job.
“It has allowed me to experience places I never dreamed I would go, be a 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. Above all, I am incredibly happy.”
He went on to add: “It is the right time for this part of my life to come to an end.
“I have always given absolutely everything I possibly could have to be the best player I could be, but now I want to make way for the new generation to take over.
“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.
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Now, I hope the Bedfordshire Farmers will find space for a has-been ‘all-rounder’ somewhere in their lower order.”
Cook made his Essex debut in 2003, before going on to appear for England two years later.
He scored a century in his second innings for his country – the first of 33 during his Test career.
He appeared in 161 Tests – 159 of which were played consecutively – a world record for a cricketer.
In total, he amassed 12,472 runs for England and captained his country for five years between 2012 and 2017.
He captained England’s home Ashes wins in 2013 and 2015 – either side of a 5-0 hammering in Australia.
But his most memorable Ashes came in the 2010/11 edition when he scored 766 runs Down Under as England claimed their only away series win since 1986/87.
He retired from Test cricket at the age of 33, marking his farewell with a century against India in his final match.