Former England skipper Alastair Cook has signed a new three-year contract with Essex after announcing his retirement from international cricket after the final Test against India at The Oval. 

Cook, a veteran of 12000 Test runs and 160 Test matches is also the leading the list of to Test century makers for England with 32 tons to his name. 

"It's great news that Cooky has committed his future to the club," said Essex head coach Anthony McGrath.

"He's one of the best batsmen in the world and he's so important for us both on and off the pitch. He's a great person to have around the club and is a great role model for the young players coming through.

"He also has the ability to change a game with his batting and that's something everyone wants in their team."

Cook hasnt been in great touch throughout this series scoring just 109 runs at an average of just 15.57. Cook also needs just 147 runs to overtake Kumar Sangakkara's tally of 12, 400 Test runs to overtake him and become fifth in the list of highest run-getters in the longest format. Cook currently stands at 12, 254 runs at an average of 44 placed below Sangakkara at sixth in the list. 

England have already won the series courtesy their win in Southampton giving them an unassailable lead of 3-1  in the five-match series. 

(Inputs from Sportstar)