Why is Alastair Cook retiring, how old is Essex legend and how many runs has he scored for England in Test matches?
England's all-time leading run scorer has decided to call it a day after the dramatic series win over India
ALASTAIR COOK is hanging up his pads after 14 years in the England setup.
The former skipper has played 160 Test matches and is the leading English run-scorer in the history of the game.
How old is Alastair Cook?
The England legend was born on Christmas Day in 1984.
The Gloucester-born cricketer is 33-years-old.
Cook has only played first-class cricket for Essex, having made his first appearance in 2003.
By hanging up his bat for England, the former international captain will be able to spend more time with his adopted county and family, including pregnant wife Alice.
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Why is Alastair Cook retiring?
Cook has decided that now is the right time to retire, stating that 'there is nothing left in the tank'.
The England opener skippered the side for a record 59 Tests and sits at sixth on the all-time list of run-scorers.
His recent form has been patchy and this year he has averaged just 18.62 in 16 innings.
England have long sought a partner to open with Cook, who enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Andrew Strauss after replacing Michael Vaughan in 2006.
The left-hander made his Test debut at the age of just 21 and hit a century in his second innings.
He added in a statement: "Although it is a sad day, I can do so with a big smile on my face knowing I have given everything.
"The thought of not sharing the dressing room, again, with some of my team-mates was the hardest part of my decision, but I know the timing is right.
"I have loved cricket my whole life, from playing in the garden as a child, and will never underestimate how special it is to pull on an England shirt.
"So I know it is the right time to give the next generation of young cricketers their turn to entertain us and feel the immense pride that comes with representing your country."
How many runs has he scored for England in Test matches?
Cook won four of the seven Ashes series in which he played and is the leading run scorer in Tests for England.
He finishes his England career with a mammoth 12472 runs to his name at an average of 45.35.
His highest score came against India in 2011, where he struck 294 at Edgbaston.
During the final Test, Cook scored 71 in the first innings, before making 147 in his final ever England innings.
On day four at The Oval, he became the highest-scoring left-handed batsman, as well as the fifth highest Test run scorer of all-time, passing Kumar Sangakkara in both categories.