England’s all-time record runscorer Alastair Cook will retire from international cricket after this week’s Test at The Oval.

Cook, who has made 12,254 runs in a 160-Test career, issued a statement on Monday confirming the news.

He said it was a “sad day” but he would retire “with a big smile on my face, knowing I have given everything”.

The Test opener and former captain, a four-time Ashes winner, added that at the age of 33 “there is nothing left in the tank”.

Alastair Cook, in 2016, will retire from international cricket after the Fifth Test against India. Photo: Getty

“After much thought and deliberation over the last few months I have decided to announce my retirement from international cricket at the end of this Test series against India,” Cook 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.”

Cook is England’s record Test runscorer. Photo: Getty

Cook, who has indicated he will play on in 2016 for his county Essex, has endured a lean summer at the top of the order for England, averaging just 15.57 in seven innings against India.

He nonetheless stands sixth in the global list of leading Test runscorers, just above West Indies great Brian Lara.

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

https://twitter.com/Terry_Denness89/status/1036575731495645186

Alastair Cook on his decision to retire from international cricket.

“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”#bbccricket pic.twitter.com/5m38iIbkS0

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) September 3, 2018

There has been debate about his position of late but he’s statistically England’s best batsman, having surpassed his own mentor Graham Gooch’s previous high of 8900 runs three years ago.

Cook’s wife Alice is about to have their third child, an event that may yet coincide with his final Test.

He will be hoping to go out on a high in a series Joe Root’s England wrapped up with a 60-run victory in Southampton on Sunday to establish an unassailable 3-1 lead.

-AAP