Chef announces his retirement from International cricket

[essexfan548]

Just seen it on the website.

Very interesting that he wants to play for Essex next season

I guess with a new baby expected any day he wants to be nearer home over the winter.

He's been a fantastic servant of England cricket - thanks Alastair for all those years

[Andy]

A more limited batsman than Gooch, but he shared the same mental toughness as the latter.  If only we could've worked out a better top 3 over the past few years, he'd have scored more and probably not retired.

[afinetickletoleg]

Its a shame that the media have been wishing for this, let's see if it ends the run of 30 for 3's.
I doubt it as it has seemed for years that if Cook or Root don't score big the team doesn't score big.

Well done Cookie, a great career and I would say the last of our batsmen with a test match mentality.

[IlfordEagle]

A more limited batsman than Gooch, but he shared the same mental toughness as the latter.  If only we could've worked out a better top 3 over the past few years, he'd have scored more and probably not retired.

Very true words indeed, it was the same with Gooch as he had umpteen openings partners over the years & he was relied on too often as Ally has been.
Such a shame Ally has decided to call time but given his run in recent times he should be given great credit for his achievements, being selfish hopefully Essex can benefit from this.

[pablo]

I don't understand why he is going to play in this. What's the point other than to give him a hail and farewell? I would have thought it a better idea to play/blood someone who might tour in the Winter.

[neil]

I don't understand why he is going to play in this. What's the point other than to give him a hail and farewell? I would have thought it a better idea to play/blood someone who might tour in the Winter.

But, perhaps, one of the major points is to give him a hail and farewell. And, he is still one of our best players.

We've won the series. What's one test against a (very good) beaten side going to prove. Suppose the replacement (Burns, I guess) fails badly. - and let's face it the batters at 1,2 and 3 haven't excelled this season. How is that going to help their confidence?

[DT]

I don't understand why he is going to play in this. What's the point other than to give him a hail and farewell? I would have thought it a better idea to play/blood someone who might tour in the Winter.

They might blood someone by replacing Jennings anyway!!!

I bet Ali will get to open in either this test or the winter to ‘plug the gap’.

[Slogger]

It crossed my mind there may have been a touch of mutual consent about this. England may have been contemplating dropping him from the winter tours so this suited everyone? I  hope he plays on for a few years.

[squarelegumpire]

It crossed my mind there may have been a touch of mutual consent about this. England may have been contemplating dropping him from the winter tours so this suited everyone? I  hope he plays on for a few years.

Seconded. On both counts.

[Perov]

Interesting to hear Goochie tell the story about Alistair, in his early days with Essex, and the breakfast  mix up.
Apparently at the Essex team hotel, the umpires were also staying there.
At breakfast, Cookie mistook an umpire ( a senior umpire at that) for the waiter, and gave him instructions on how he wanted his boiled eggs cooked.
This umpire took offence at this "mistake", and never forgot this incident.

This was reflected in future years, with a number of dubious decisions given by the said umpire against Cookie.

[DT]

Yes that was a great story, recommend those who didn’t listen to 5Live last night should do so on catch up!

[firehazard]

Well played, Mr Cook. And very good to hear he wants to continue for us.

[Gilders]

After the Oval test he will have no more England commitments ever.

Does that make him free to play for Essex in the last couple of CC games if he wants to or will ECB still have their say?

[JasonP]

After the Oval test he will have no more England commitments ever.

Does that make him free to play for Essex in the last couple of CC games if he wants to or will ECB still have their say?

Technically, I guess, his central contract would probably run out at the end of the summer but I can't see any reason why the ECB wouldn't let him play for Essex if he wanted to.

[SirChef26]

His wife is due to give birth around the same time as the Oval test. So I’d safely assume that Chef is done for the year after the game.