Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook has announced his retirement from cricket as he brings the curtain down on his record-breaking career.
The left-handed opener’s 12,472 Test runs is the most by any English batter – placing him fifth in the all-time list – but after retiring from international duty in 2018, he has now decided to hang up his bat following the conclusion of the County Championship season with Essex.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the 38-year-old’s playing career in pictures.
Cook celebrated four Ashes series wins over Australia with England (David Davies/PA)
Cook surpassed Allan Border’s previous record of 153 consecutive Test matches in 2018 before ending his career with 159 in succession (Philip Brown/Pool/PA)
Cook recorded 33 Test centuries for England – the most by an England batsman – with Joe Root currently on 30 (Adam Davy/PA)
Cook (right) was announced as England Test captain following the retirement of fellow opener Andrew Strauss (left) in 2012 (Gareth Copley/PA)
Cook’s contract at Essex expired at the conclusion of the domestic season last month (Joe Giddens/PA)
Cook (left) became England’s all-time leading runscorer in Test matches in May 2015 (Lynne Cameron/PA)
Cook’s contract at Essex expired at the conclusion of the domestic season last month and he has elected against seeking a renewal (Gareth Fuller/PA)
