‘True Legend’: Bairstow, Laxman React to Alastair Cook Retirement

“No player has given more to the England cricket shirt,” wrote former English cricketer Michael Vaughan in a tweet. Another tweet by English cricketer Stuart Broad read, “Not enough words to describe what a legend Cooky is”.

Teammates and others heaped praise on cricketer Alastair Cook after the former England captain announced retirement from international cricket on Monday, 3 September.

The fifth and final Test between England and India will be his final match. Interestingly, he had also made his debut in India, way back in 2006.

As he draws the curtain on a career spanning 12,254 runs in a 160-test career over 12 years, here’s how cricketers, fans and admirers are bidding him goodbye.

A true legend who set the benchmark on and off the pitch. It’s been an honour playing alongside you. Congratulations on a stellar @englandcricket career, Cookie 🐐 pic.twitter.com/CyQ83RpEoN

— Jonny Bairstow (@jbairstow21) September 3, 2018

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

Not enough words to describe what a legend Cooky is. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏏 https://t.co/xcavET49VB

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) 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

What a brilliant career for Alastair Cook! One of England's finest. Can retire with great pride at what he has achieved.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 3, 2018

1/2 When I 1st saw Cooky when I joined @EssexCricket I knew then we would not see him to much. A very impressive young man who has stayed grounded all the way through his glittering International career, aways loves playing for his County Essex. He deserves a massive send off

— Alex Tudor (@alextudorcoach) September 3, 2018

2/2 @surreycricket for his final Test, it has been an absolute pleasure firstly playing with you & see you over the years grow into the player & person you have become👍🏾 congrats on the career fella you have done @englandcricket very proud indeed 👏🏿 #CookRetires

— Alex Tudor (@alextudorcoach) September 3, 2018

Alastair Cook retires from international cricket 😩 He gave it everything and more. Huge respect for a guy that has achieved so much, it was a pleasure being out in the middle when you… https://t.co/bvgK9DgUkA

— Paul Collingwood (@Colly622) September 3, 2018

Not sure there’s enough words to describe what this legend has done for @englandcricket going to miss watching him at the top of the order! #thankyouchef https://t.co/eNdPzdJ6zU

— Tammy Beaumont (@Tammy_Beaumont) September 3, 2018

Wow, end of an era with Cook calling it a day. Loved his determination and grit to score ugly runs on difficult conditions. All the best for the future. https://t.co/bcBk9Q0tVG

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) September 3, 2018

Sad to see Alistair Cook go, honestly believe there was still some runs left in him but fair play, he doesn't owe England any more than he's already given

A genuine legend of the game, I remember his debut against India like it was yesterday

Thanks for the memories 💪💪

— Toby Tarrant (@tobytarrant) September 3, 2018

Each shot greater than the movements that made the shot. Each innings greater than its shots. Each series greater than the innings within it.Each year greater than each series. Overall record greater than the years added up. His legacy, his standing, greater than his record #cook

— David (@DavidJMcGaughey) September 3, 2018

Class. Dedication. Hardwork. Personality. Character. Human. Loving. Gave more to the game than any other Englishman. 12000 runs and 13 years of delight. A childhood inspiration. End of an era Alastair Cook.#CookRetires

— Muhammad Ali Noorani (@Nooraniali1402) September 3, 2018

What a player. What a lengend. Held the England team together for many years. I’m genuinely gutted about Alastair Cook’s retirement. #ThankYouChef

— Joel langley (@Joellangley14) September 3, 2018

- Alastair Cook's 10 out of 32 Test hundreds came in Australia and India :)#ThankYouChef

— JSK (@imjsk27) September 3, 2018