The 33-year-old will call time on his Test career after the final match of the current series against India, which starts at The Oval on Friday.
Here Press Association Sport looks at some of the left-hander’s options once his 12-year England career comes to an end.
COUNTY CRICKET
Cook’s increased availability last summer was a key component in Essex claiming a first County Championship title for 25 years in 2017. The opener made seven appearances for the Chelmsford outfit, hitting 667 runs at an average of 66.7 and notching up three centuries to set Chris Silverwood’s side on their way to success. Cook’s Essex appearances have been few and far between over the last decade due to England commitments, and he may relish the prospect of a full season on the county circuit.
Cook could focus his attentions on Essex in county cricket.
NON-PLAYING CRICKET ROLES
Cook worked closely with former Essex and England opener Graham Gooch early in his career, and could follow his mentor into coaching. Cook’s former opening partner Andrew Strauss is now the England and Wales Cricket Board’s director of cricket, and could presumably find a more administrative role in his set-up for Cook should he decide against a future as a coach.
An administrative role could appeal to Cook.
FARMING
Cook once appeared on BBC One‘s Countryfile to discuss his love of farming, and he regularly works on a farm near Leighton Buzzard to escape the pressures of cricket, saying in 2016: “I think farming does help my cricket in the way that I’m not lying on my sofa thinking ‘what’s my technique doing here?'”
Cook has previously confessed his love for farming.
MEDIA
Cook has always appeared at ease in front of the cameras, even during some of his more difficult moments at England captain, and could follow other former skippers Mike Atherton, David Gower, Sir Ian Botham, Nasser Hussein and Michael Vaughan in choosing to move into broadcasting.
Cook could follow in Mike Atherton’s footsteps.
MUSIC CAREER
Cook sang in the St Paul’s Cathederal boarding school choir as a child and even performed in front of the Queen. He also played clarinet in the school orchestra, and could follow in the footsteps of former England batsman Mark Butcher, who released an album in 2010.
Cook has previously performed in front of the queen.
