The 33-year-old former captain has made a national record 12,254 runs in a 160-test career that has spanned 12 years. But he has endured a lean summer at the top of the order for England, averaging only 15.57 in seven innings against India. Speaking on Wednesday (5th September) he said that he had been mulling over his decision for around six months and that he was sure now was the right time to go.

But he insisted that he leaves the team in good shape, arguing that the current crop of players are "more talented than any other team I've played with."

Cook stands sixth in the all-time list of leading Test run-scorers, just above West Indies great Brian Lara.