Twitter breaks down in tears after Alastair Cook hangs his boots from international cricket

Alastair Cook has had a torrid time in international cricket over the last one year. A batsman known for playing substantial knocks strained to cross even the 50-run mark. He churned out a double century in the Ashes against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, but apart from that, he hasn’t been able to find his rhythm with the willow one bit.

Recently, the seasoned campaigner eventually ran out of patience and announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 33. The left-hander is currently with the national team, which is playing the five-match Test series against India. The Glouster-born cricketer has looked good in patches but has only looked to be a pale shadow of his glorious past.

Cook bows out

In the four matches, he has scored 109 runs at an average of 15.57, which is no less than abysmal as far as the standards Cook has set for himself at the highest level. On five of the six instances, he batted in the series, he entered double figures, but somehow wasn’t able to carry on and make a significant contribution for his team. He will bow out after playing the fifth Test at Kennington Oval in London.

He first donned the national colours in England’s Test match against India in Nagpur and he hasn’t looked back ever since. Such has been his class and consistency that once he was speculated to break legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s records in Test cricket. Cook has amassed 12,254 runs in 160 matches at a decent average of 44.88.

Moreover, he has notched 32 centuries and 56 half-centuries in white clothing cricket for England. He has also played 92 ODIs and four T20Is. In the meantime, following the massive announcement, Twitter couldn’t comprehend what had happened and they heaped praises on one of England’s most legendary batsmen.

Here is how Twitter reacted

Right from the time he made his debut against us in Nagpur, knew that he is a very special talent and will have a huge role to play in English Cricket .I wish to congratulate Alastair Cook on a wonderful career for England. #CookRetires

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 3, 2018

Congratulations Alastair Cook on a glorious career. You can be very proud of the way you played. Best wishes for the future.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 3, 2018

No player has given more to the England cricket shirt .. No player has got more out of there ability .. No player has shown more mental strength than Alastair Cook .. More than that he is the nicest Cricketer we have ever had .. Thanks for all the memories Cookie .. #CookRetires

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook to retire from international cricket at the end of the series against India. What a brilliant cricketer, great servant and fantastic ambassador for cricket he has been #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook retires as England's record Test run-scorer, and sits sixth on the all-time list. He will move up to fifth and pass @KumarSanga2 if he scores 147 runs in his final match.#CookRetires pic.twitter.com/gu5vbhlWy9

— ICC (@ICC) September 3, 2018

For a period of a year, I lived under the fear that Alastair Cook can go past Sachin's tally of test runs and that in itself speaks volumes about the man. Cricket will be made poorer by his retirement.
Best of luck Alastair for the after years!#CookRetires

— Pritam Guha (@pritam_guha31) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook will be almost impossible to replace. His recent form has been patchy, but good luck to anyone following the Chef #legend

— Adam Michie (@flicksandtricks) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook is an unassuming English Cricket legend who deserves to leave the stage on his own terms. One last hundred at the Oval would be a fairytale ending, but his legacy is safe whatever happens. Well played Sir, and thank you.

— Simon O'Rourke (@sorourkeITV) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook to retire. Crap, now we’ll have no-one who can open. 😱

— Wayne Littlewood (@Waynelittlewood) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook, I am gutted. The guy is a legend and a proper batsman. He’s played every game possible from the start of his career to the end. End it with a century #cook

— Chris Sutton (@chrissutton12) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook retiring after this series is the right decision. What a batsman though. I hope his final knock defies his current form and allows him one last hurrah. Either way though, he’s been fantastic: good luck to him. #cricket #alastaircook

— Toby Hadoke (@TobyHadoke) September 3, 2018

Breaking News! England's Alastair Cook calls time on his 12-year international career. He will retire after the 5th Test against India at The Oval next week. @englandcricket v @BCCI #ENGvIND

— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) September 3, 2018

Thank you Alastair Cook a true great of the game and a class man!

— Tom O'Connell (@tomthebaggie) September 3, 2018

What a career Alastair Cook has had a legend of English cricket. The Ashes Tour when the Aussies couldn’t get him out was unbelievable.

— Richard Steele (@Steeley_BFC) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook 👏👏👏👏👏👏 on a superb career @ECB_cricket

— Dean Cummings (@Deanospamoni85) September 3, 2018

"Alastair Cook" Thank you for your service chef

— Sam (@Sam87668453) September 3, 2018

Thank you Alastair Cook for everything you’ve done for @englandcricket! England’s greatest batsman 🏏

— Becs (@Becki_JoAnn) September 3, 2018

He has called it at the right time, but what a career and a nice bloke too. We have taken him for granted and no doubt will miss him 👏🏼 #AlastairCook

— Will Jackson (@willjacksonPA) September 3, 2018

England’s leading Test run scorer Alastair Cook will retire from intl cricket after India series. What a career he has had. He will get a hugely affectionate farewell at the Oval.

— AlisonMitchell (@AlisonMitchell) September 3, 2018

Re:Alastair Cook – it's always a bit disappointing when a sportsperson goes out on a damp squib rather than at the top of their game

— Will Gavin (@WillGav) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook is a lesson in life to anyone. Know what your strengths are. Play to them. Never stop playing to them.

— Greg Double (@Dubstep1988) September 3, 2018

Sad to know Alastair Cook announcing his retire from international cricket. He has cricket left in him but it's his own choice. Well done for what you have done. Best of luck for your future sir. #AlastairCook

— °H U M A N° (@LetMeSayKay_) September 3, 2018

Gutted that Alastair Cook is retiring. A true England great and probably my favourite England cricketer. Least he'll have more time to get to Kenilworth Road and watch the Hatters this season #ThankYouChef

— Matt Storey (@StoreyMatt) September 3, 2018

What a servant Alastair Cook has been. Arguably England’s greatest ever out-and-out batsman. Happy retirement chef.

— Lee Sims (@Lee_Sims94) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook has been a wonderful servant to cricket, not only with his talent but with his dignity. He has scored more Test runs than any of our English cricketing heroes. Thank you Chef for a gourmet career. #alastaircook

— Uncle Norman Giller (@NormanGiller) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook retiring may have saved Keaton Jennings' international career. He HAS to make the most of this opportunity now.

— Len (@LenM4) September 3, 2018

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