Gallery: Alastair Cook’s emotional Oval farewell

Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook bowed out of Test cricket on September 11 2018 at the Oval when England beat India by 118 runs in a match that took on the air of a tribute to the most prolific English batsman of all-time.

Joe Root won the toss and sent Cook in as the opening act of his own international swansong and he was greeted by a guard of honour.

A large crowd turned up to cheer on the former skipper…

Cooky wasn’t going to get caught up in the emotion of the moment though and settled in as if it was just another day at the office.

 

A 57th Test fifty was on the menu on day one at the Oval for the record-breaker.

But Jasprit Bumrah would play party pooper finding a way through Cook to deny him a farewell hundred in the first innings.

There was no doubting Cook’s commitment in the field.

On day three Cook made his way to the crease to begin his final Test innings.

A solid display from Cook and Root put England in a strong position by stumps on day three and ignited hopes of a farewell ton on day four.

On day four Bumrah made up for his poor form in dismissing Cook and his overthrows would see the opener ton up one last time. His 33rd Test hundred.

Finally dismissed fo 147 Cook would leave as the all-time highest scoring left-hander in Test cricket and be congratulated by Virat Kohli.

When it all ended the crowd would applaud the great man for what seemed an age…

Leaving the field after a star turn, Cook would doff his cap to the England support.

Day five was all about showing support for his teammates and thanking the England fans.

And just like that it was over.

 

 

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