Alastair Cook retires: David Lloyd calls for opening batsman to be dropped from his farewell Test

The former England captain will retire from international cricket after this week’s fifth Test against India

Former England cricketer and current commentator David Lloyd believes Alastair Cook should be dropped for what is set to be his final farewell after announcing his international retirement.

Cook plans to retire after next Friday’s fifth Test against India in what will be his 161st appearance for his country in the long format, and he is almost certain to feature in what will be an emotional farewell to one of England’s great players and past captain.

But 71-year-old Lloyd feels that Cook should not be afforded his final swansong as it will set England back in finding his replacement, with no obvious answer putting their hand up for selection.

“Cook has been a wonderful player for England, a rock,” Lloyd wrote on Twitter. “He says, ‘the tank is empty’. Can’t personally see why he plays at the Oval, get the new chap in immediately.”

Lloyd’s opinion unsurprisingly triggered plenty of debate from fans questioning why he wouldn’t want Cook to be given the farewell he deserves and who would replace him given that there is no one ready to come in at the blink of an eye.

But former Lancashire captain Lloyd took guard and defended his view, arguing that there doesn’t need to be any emotional send-off because “he ain’t dead” and that if the fans wanted to say goodbye then Cook should “parade around the ground at lunchtime”.

Lloyd’s ruthless approach is not a slight on Cook’s achievements as he labelled the opener a “wonderful player”, but is more an acceptance that there is genuine concern about what England do without Cook opening the batting – even in light of his recent shaky form.

David Lloyd believes Alastair Cook should not play England's fifth Test against India (Getty)

The England selectors do have options to pick from, with Surrey batsman Rory Burns likely to come in after his Division One-leading 964 runs at 64.06 this season, while Jonny Bairstow can move up the order and one of Mark Stoneman and Haseeb Hameed could find themselves with a surprise recall to the Test side.