Alastair Cook announces retirement from international cricket

Southampton: England's highest Test run-scorer Alastair Cook will retire from international cricket after this week's final Test against India.

The opener, 33, has scored 12,254 runs and made 32 centuries in 160 Tests - all England records.

"There is nothing left in the tank," said Cook, who captained his country in a record 59 Tests.

The fifth Test of the series, in which England have an unassailable 3-1 lead, starts on Friday at The Oval.

Cook is sixth on the all-time list of Test run-scorers and has made a record 11,627 runs as an opener.

He added: "I have achieved more than I could have ever imagined and feel very privileged to have played for such a long time alongside some of the greats of the English game."

However, he has struggled this year, averaging 18.62 in 16 innings, and has not scored a fifty in the current series against India.

Leading Test run-scorers (Till England - India fourth Test)
Sachin Tendulkar (Ind)    15,921
Ricky Ponting (Aus)    13,378
Jacques Kallis (SA)    13,289
Rahul Dravid (Ind)    13,288
Kumar Sangakkara (SL)    12,400
Alastair Cook (Eng)    12,254

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