Any Chance Of Coming Out Of Retirement? This Is What Alastair Cook Said

Alastair Cook, on Monday, made it clear he would not come out of his retirement even after scoring a fifty and a hundred in the fifth England vs India Test.

The way Alastair Cook played in his farewell game for England, the cricketing world must have been thinking why the opener is retiring at just 33. Cook scored his 33rd Test hundred on Monday to became the fifth player in the history to score a century on debut and in the last Test match.

A batsman so out of form in the last four matches, suddenly looked so sure and confident as Cook turned back the clock with his exquisite display at The Oval. In the first innings, he scored 71 before scoring 147 in the second. During the course of his second innings, he went past Kumar Sangakkara to become the fifth highest run-scorer in Test cricket. And he also became the left-handed batsman with most Test runs.

His display in the ongoing game has certainly made many speculate that is there any chance of seeing the England talisman taking a u-turn on his retirement plans. However, Cook made it clear that his decision will not change. Speaking at the end of day’s play, the 33-year old said that his latest performance has not made him rethink retirement.

He also said that the retirement decision was not a sudden one and started doing the rounds in his mind when West Indies visited England last summer.

“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.

“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,” he added.

Coming to the game, Cook looks set to end his England career with a thumping win. Chasing an improbable 464, India were 58 for 3 at stumps.