Alastair Cook, former England captain and legendary batter, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket at the end of the 2023 County Championship.
Alastair Cook retired from international cricket in 2018, but he still plays county cricket for Essex, where he began his first-class career in 2003.
Alastair Cook took Retirement
In 352 first-class matches, the 38-year-old southpaw has amassed 26643 runs, including 74 hundreds and 125 half-centuries.
In the ongoing County Championship, he scored 836 runs from 26 innings at an average of 36.72, with one century and three half-centuries.
???? ???????????? ???????????? ???????? ???????? ????????????.
Alastair Cook has today retired from all forms of professional cricket.#ThankYouChef pic.twitter.com/eE4MdZIAae
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) October 13, 2023
Alastair’s Experiences
“It is not easy to say goodbye. For more than two decades, cricket has been so much more than my job,” said Alastair Cook in a statement released by his boyhood club Essex.
“It has allowed me to experience places I never dreamed I would go, be 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. Although above all, I am incredibly happy. It is the right time for this part of my life to come to an end.”
Alastair Cook also expressed gratitude to Essex Cricket, the county side where he began and ended his professional first-class career.
“I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Essex, the county I joined when I was aged 12. When I ended my international career, I had no idea that I would have five more bonus years of playing for Essex.
“I cannot put into words how much fun we have had during that time.
“I won’t miss strapping on my pads and facing the new ball, but I will miss being in the Eagles changing room.
“Playing a full part in the season when Essex won the County Championship in 2019 is one of my favourite achievements in the game.
I look forward to watching Essex continue to punch above their weight, hopefully winning many more trophies in the coming years.
New Media Career of Former Captain
The former England captain intends to spend more time with his family at the family farm while also focusing on his new media career with the BBC.
Alastair Cook has had a distinguished international career. With 12472 runs at 45.35 and 33 centuries and 57 half-centuries, he is England’s highest run-scorer in Test cricket.
He is the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, and the highest among openers. His 33 Test centuries rank seventh all-time in the format. Only Sunil Gavaskar has more hundreds as a Test opener (33), while Cook has 31.
To read our blog on “Fawad Alam has left Pak cricket for good to play in the US,” click here
