'Not easy to say goodbye': Former England captain Alastair Cook retires from all forms of cricket

Cook had already retired from international cricket in the summer of 2018 but would continue representing Essex in the County Championship for the next five seasons. Former England captain Alastair Cook has announced retirement from all forms of cricket, drawing the curtains on a glorious professional career spanning two decades. 🙌 12,472 Test runs 👌 The second-highest number of Test runs scored at Lord's ✍️ Five international hundreds at the Home of Cricket Take a bow for a magnificent cricketing career, Sir Alastair Cook 👏#LoveLords pic.twitter.com/mmQm0t2JsE — Lord's Cricket Ground October 13, 2023 Cook feels it is the right time to step aside from professional cricket and provide opportunities to the future generation. 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.” Cook established himself as an all-time great during a record-breaking England career during which he played 161 Tests, 59 of those as captain, and scored an England record 12,472 Test runs. ECB Chief Executive Officer, Richard Gould, said: “Sir Alastair Cook has been a titan of the game whose legacy will not just be embodied in the numerous run-making records he achieved, but also in the leadership and grace that he always displayed during a long and distinguished career.