Former England captain Alastair Cook has announced his retirement from cricket, admitting “it is the right time”.
Cook quit international cricket in 2018 but continued to play for Essex with his contract expiring at the end of the domestic season last month. The 38-year-old has chosen not to renew, instead calling it quits on a record-breaking career spanning over 20 years.
He said: “It is not easy to say goodbye. For more than two decades, cricket has been so much more than my job.
“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 scored 12,472 Test runs, which is the most by any English batter and fifth on the all-time list.
He was part of Ashes series wins in 2009, 2010-11, 2013, and 2015, captaining them in the final two.
In 2010-11, his 766 runs saw him crowned player of the series and helped England seal a first win in Australia since 1986-87.
Cook went on to say: “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.”
