#ThankYouChef

England’s greatest ever run scorer Alastair Cook will receive his 161st and final Test cap at the Kia Oval today.

In the build-up to an emotional farewell, current and former players sent congratulatory messages into the PCA to show ‘Chef’ in a video which was aired to him and his teammates ahead of donning the Three Lions for one last time…

Going into his final Test with 160 caps, 12,254 runs, 32 centuries, 56 half centuries and 173 catches – Cook is the record holder for his country for all of those stats. Add four Ashes victories, two as captain and a record 59 Tests as skipper, a legend will walk away from representing England over the next five days.

Having taken to the field with 74 different players across his Test career, current and former teammates flocked to celebrate ‘Chef’s’ career to show how highly regarded he is amongst his fellow players.

Moments after watching tributes from teammates from his 12-years of playing for England, the 33-year-old gave his reaction to the surprise video.

“Not that I am wishing this week away but once it is out of the way and the dust has settled and life has moved on I think it will be a great watch, just to appreciate how many people I have played Test cricket with and how special everything has been,” said Cook.

“It is a bit surreal at the moment with all the adulation but I am determined to go out and enjoy it and I am determined to go out with a win.”

Cook will end his career well over 3,000 Test runs ahead of the next Englishman which is PCA President and long-term mentor Graham Gooch and he wanted to say one last thank you to everyone he has taken the field with.

“It has been a privilege to pull on the England shirt. You almost forget how many people I have played with and it has been fantastic. I thank everyone for sharing my journey and my time in the team but everyone will have their own story.

“It has been fantastic and I am a very lucky boy.”