England batsman Alastair Cook will retire from international cricket after this week's Test against India, saying there's "nothing left in the tank" after 12 record-breaking years in the team.
An elegant and gritty left-handed opener, Cook is leaving the international game holding a slew of national records in tests: most runs (12,254), most appearances (160), most centuries (32) and most tests at captain (59).
He played in 158 straight Tests - a world record - and captained England from 2012-17, during which the team won back-to-back home Ashes series and a first series victory in India in 27 years.
"Although it is a sad day, I can do so with a big smile on my face, knowing I have given everything and there is nothing left in the tank," the 33-year-old said on Monday.
"The thought of not sharing the dressing room again with some of my teammates was the hardest part of my decision but I know the timing is right."
Cook's wife Alice is about to have their third child, an event that may yet coincide with his final Test.
The four-time Ashes winner has endured a lean summer at the top of the order for England, averaging only 15.57 in seven innings against India.
However, he stands sixth in the all-time list of leading Test run-scorers, just above West Indies great Brian Lara, and needs 147 at The Oval to move past Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara in fifth place.
"He's probably not the most naturally gifted cricketer," former England captain Alec Stewart said.
"There will be others with far more natural talent that haven't got the mental strength.
"The combination of what Cook has, both talent and mental strength, has meant he's played for a very long time and has broken every single record going."
Cook, who will play next summer for English county Essex, made his Test debut in 2006 as a late replacement for Michael Vaughan and made an unbeaten 104 in the second innings.
He had a rare ability to bat for long periods - he has five double centuries in Tests - without losing focus and concentration.
Cook surpassed his own mentor, Graham Gooch, when he exceeded 8900 Test runs three years ago.
As a seven-year-old, Cook lined up to get Gooch's autograph outside Essex's ground and they went on to become close friends.
"Graham was my sounding board, especially in the early years of my career, spending hour after hour throwing balls at me with his dog stick," Cook said.
"He made me realise you always need to keep improving, whatever you are trying to achieve."
England faces the tough task of finding a replacement at the top of the order, with Cook having had 12 opening partners since Andrew Strauss' retirement in 2012.
ECB chairman Colin Graves paid tribute to Cook's "selfless dedication to the England cause".
"He fully deserves to be remembered as one of England's greatest-ever cricketers."
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