In a statement released through his county club Essex, Cook announced that he is retiring from all forms of cricket. There had been reports earlier in the season that Cook was set to announce his retirement following the conclusion of the County Championship. However, Essex had quashed those retirement reports at the time.

Today (October 13), Cook has confirmed his retirement, sharing a statement on social media. Cook is England’s highest run-scorer in Tests with 12,472 runs from 161 Test matches at an average of 45.35. He made 33 Test hundreds to go with 57 half-centuries. Cook also has more than 3,000 runs in ODIs.

Cook has also been one of England’s most decorated Test captains, having led the national side across 59 Test matches out of which 24 resulted in wins and 22 in losses.

👑 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗿𝗮.

Alastair Cook has today retired from all forms of professional cricket.#ThankYouChef pic.twitter.com/eE4MdZIAae

— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) October 13, 2023

Having retired from international cricket five years back in 2018, Cook continued to ply his trade in the county circuit for Essex before finally calling it a day.

In an emotional retirement statement, Cook has thanked all those who played a part in his journey including but not limited to his family, Essex, the England team, and fans who have supported him. He mentioned that he leaves with “a strange feeling of sadness mixed with pride.”

In his statement, Cook says that he feels that this is the best time for him to move on and make way for the younger generation. He has given a special mention to Essex for the five years he spent with them after retirement from international cricket: “I won’t miss strapping on my pads and facing the new ball, but I will miss being in the Eagles’ changing room.”