COOK’S A WARRIOR..FINEST OPENER WE’VE EVER HAD

Beefy leads tributes as batsman quits England

SIR IAN BOTHAM has led the tributes to Alastair Cook after the England opener announced his international retirement.

England’s greatest all-rounder hailed the country’s “finest opener” who will play his 161st and final Test at the Oval this week against India. “He will go down as

England’s finest opening batsman of the modern era,’ said Botham (below).

“Because he has done that job without a break for longer than anyone else and has set the bar so high I doubt it will ever be beaten.

“Batting in the toughest position in the order, no Englishman has scored more runs than him, and he has to be remembered as a magnificent player.

“He has been a warrior for such a long time and it has been great to watch him produce the goods against the best bowlers all over the world.”

Cook will continue to play for Essex next summer as he looks forward to becoming a father for the third time this month, but the Oval is where it will end for England with a series win secured.

Cook, 33, who also captained England 59 times, said: “Although it is a sad day, I can do so with a big smile on my face knowing I have given everything and there is nothing left in the tank.

“I have achieved more than I could have ever imagined and feel very privileged to have played for such a long time alongside some of the greats of the English game.”