Cook had retirement in mind for six months

LONDON: Alastair Cook had considered retiring from England duty for the last six months before finally announcing the end of his international career.

Cook revealed on Monday that he will step away from the England stage following the fifth Test against India at The Oval this week.The 33-year-old, England’s record run-scorer, had been pondering the move for most of the year and eventually made the decision ahead of last week’s fourth Test with India, where his country secured a series win.

“It’s hard to put it into words but over the last six months there have been signs in my mind this was going to happen,” former England captain Cook said.“I always had been mentally tough and had that edge to everything I’ve done and that edge had kind of gone.”

Cook informed captain Joe Root before the game and head coach Trevor Bayliss while it was going on, but the rest of the squad found out in an emotional speech afterwards.“I told Rooty before the game and then told Trevor during the game,” Cook said.“At the end of the game I said, ‘It might be good news, it might be sad for some, it might be happy for others but it’s time and I have done my bit. I will play one more game.’”