Cook has called retirement at the right time and good on him to place the interests of the team at heart. I remember first watching Cook during the England and Pakistan 2006 series and he made an instant impression with his sound technique reinforced by his calmness and composure for such a young man. You could tell mentally he was very tough from the beginning of his England days. Even with dips in form he always found a way to bounce back. His performances during the famous Ashes win in Australia and India in 2012 were the highlights of his career. Although with limited array of shots in his Arsenal, he was an excellent back foot player and spin before his decline.
It's a shame his average has dipped below the high 40s (at one point close to 50) but for me his numbers are far more significant than some of the middle order batsmen who have averaged around 50 in the post 2010 era because he played just over half of his games in England against the Duke ball in swinging and seaming conditions.
Many on here are quick to dismiss that he is no ATG but should also remember had he been an opener in Asia/Australia his average would have been significantly higher on flatter wickets against the Kookaburra, evident from his higher away test average as shown below:
Home tests (85 matches) - Average: 43.75
Away tests (75 matches) - Average: 46.10
I'm not claiming he's an ATG but I would say that he certainly has a case. The fact that England are struggling to replace Strauss shows how tough it is to cement a spot as an opener in England let alone finding a future ATG English opener and is hence why I rate Cook's achievements a lot more highly than James Anderson who is no doubt a legendary bowler with admirable skills in swing bowling but he's been bestowed with perfect bowling conditions at home.
He has had a stellar career and it will be some mission for England to find a long term replacement who can play even half the games that he did.
