Alastair Cook retires from international cricket - live reaction and analysis

Follow live reaction and thoughts from the cricket world as Cook announces his decision to step away from international cricket after the final test vs India

Alastair Cook resigns: His England captaincy in numbers

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."

Follow our live blog for up-to-the-minute reaction and analysis...

.

Key Points

• Alastair Cook has retired from international cricket and will play his final Test against India at The Oval this week
• Former captain announces decision in statement revealing he has "nothing left in the tank"
• Cook calls time on his career after more than 12,000 Test runs and 32 centuries

[3 September 2018 13:00 · Ed Malyon]

Hussain is also an Essex man, and added that it will be very difficult for England to replace Cook's consistency, adding: "He's had 13 different opening partners and since Andrew Strauss, England have struggled to find another to go with him.

"No-one is irreplaceable, you look at Sachin Tendulkar, when he retired everyone said there would be no-one like that and Virat Kohli has come along.

"So eventually someone will come along, but it will take a long time to find another Alastair Cook."

[3 September 2018 13:09 · Ed Malyon]

Graeme Gooch, who Cook overtook to become England's most prolific batsman of all time, added: "He is a legend not only because of his performances but because of his attitude, his sacrifices, the way he has carried himself and the example he has set. Alastair is a perfect role model and is the image of the game we want to project.

"He is a great ambassador for his sport, he is a great person as well as a great cricketer.

"His record is unsurpassed in terms of runs and the commitment he has showed for every team he has played for and has been a beacon for our sport as a person and as a cricketer."

[3 September 2018 13:45 · Ed Malyon]

Another former teammate who enjoyed some great times (and some more difficult ones) alongside the retiring Cook is Matt Prior. 

He has tweeted about his friend's decision and what it means.