ALASTAIR COOK has announced his retirement from professional cricket, ending a sensational 20-year career.

Cook, 38, retired from Test cricket back in 2018 but has continued playing at county level for Essex.

But England’s all-time leading run-scorer saw his Essex contract expire at the end of the 2023 season.

And he has now confirmed he will not extend his stay in the sport.

In a statement, he 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.”

He went on to add: “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.

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Now, I hope the Bedfordshire Farmers will find space for a has-been ‘all-rounder’ somewhere in their lower order.”

Cook made his Essex debut in 2003, before going on to appear for England two years later.

He scored a century in his second innings for his country – the first of 33 during his Test career.

He appeared in 161 Tests – 159 of which were played consecutively – a world record for a cricketer.

In total, he amassed 12,472 runs for England and captained his country for five years between 2012 and 2017.

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