Alastair Cook, who scored a hundred on his last Test at England batsman, reflected that there are no chances of coming back from the retirement.
Meanwhile, the hosts are looking good to finish the series at 4-1 at the Oval against India. They only need seven more wickets on the last day to rout India out of this Test while the visitor will be keen to save the match.
Cook got a standing ovation after hitting his 33rd Test century and another after falling for 147. The opener also moved fifth on the list of all-time Test run scorers after topping Kumar Sangakkara to end his career with 12,472 runs.
Alastair Cook admitted his 33rd hundred – which puts him in the 10th on the list of all-time century makers – has not caused him to rethink retirement.
“I will miss playing with great players and sitting in the changing room but the timing is right and it just makes this more special,” said Cook. “It’s such a nice way personally for me to go,” he added.
Teh veteran Cook also revealed that he took the decision after considering many things. However, Alastair Cook noted that the decision doesn’t you have nothing in yourself anymore.
“This wasn’t just what’s happened in this series – it’s been an 18-month process and probably started last year against West Indies when I started noticing things in my game and my preparation. That edge isn’t there but it doesn’t mean you haven’t got it sometimes. When it’s your day, you can still score runs,” Cook signed off.
Alastair Cook will look to finish his England career with a win as they need only seven wickets to register the victory.