England batsman Alastair Cook will retire from international cricket, after the final Test against India at The Oval.

The 33-year-old bringing to an end the career of one of the country’s most successful players, both as a batsman and former skipper.

England’s highest Test run-scorer with 12,254 runs and made 32 centuries, will play his 161st and the final Test against India this week, as the only Englishman with over 12,000 Test runs.

“After much thought and deliberation over the last few months I have decided to announce my retirement from international cricket at the end of this Test series against India,” he said in a statement.

Cook stated that he has been contemplating over the decision for quite some time, and believes the time is right for him to quit international cricket.

However, the opening batsman will continue to play the county cricket for Essex.