"A strange feeling of sadness mixed with pride" - England legend Alastair Cook announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Former England captain and Essex batter Alastair Cook announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Thursday, October 13.

Cook, 38, retired from international cricket in storybook fashion in 2018, scoring a 71 and 147 against India at the Oval. Ever since, the left-handed batter has been playing for his County side Essex, and helped them win the County Championship in 2019 with his batting and leadership qualities.

In his recently finished Championship, Cook scored 836 runs in 14 games at an average of 33.44 with a hundred and six half-centuries. Unfortunately, Essex fell just short of winning the title, finishing second on the points table to Surrey despite winning seven and losing three games.

In a statement released by the Essex Social Media handle, Alastair Cook 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."

Cook remains England's all-time leading run-scorer and fifth overall in Tests, with 12,400 runs and 33 centuries at an average of over 45 in 161 games.

During Essex's penultimate County Championship game, there were developing reports of this being Cook's final season in professional cricket. Overall, the champion batter finishes with 26,643 first-class runs with 74 centuries and 125 half-centuries in 352 games in a two-decade-long career.

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"It is the right time for this part of my life to come to an end" - Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook stated that he felt the time was right for him to step away from cricket for the next generation to take over and move into the next stage of his life.

Essex had been waiting on the decision of the opening batter following the conclusion of the Championship, with coach Anthony McGrath hoping for the veteran to play a little longer.

"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," said Cook.

Besides his incredible batting achievements, Cook also led England in 59 Tests and 69 ODIs.He captained two Ashes-winning England sides in 2013 and 2015 and was the leading run-scorer (766 runs) in the 2010-11 series win in Australia, the last time England emerged victorious down under.

"Although my England career came to an end in 2018, I remain blown away by the amount of affection I receive from England supporters. Wherever I have travelled, you have been there with your enthusiasm, kind words and unshakable belief. English cricket really does have the best fans in the world," added Cook.

The 38-year-old was the last captain to taste success in a Test series on Indian soil when he led England to a 2-1 series win in 2012-13. In that series, Cook scored an incredible 562 runs at an average of over 80 with three centuries as the visitors bounced back from a 0-1 deficit to stun the Indians.

He is also second behind Joe Root among leading run-scorers for England across formats.