Cook reflects on 'surreal week' after hitting memorable final century

Alastair Cook hit his 33rd Test ton in front of a 19,000-strong crowd in south London, including dozens of his family and friends, to say goodbye to the international arena in style

^{Alastair Cook had a memorable day at the Kia Oval}

Alastair Cook described his final week in Test cricket as "the most surreal" of his life after England's record runscorer signed out with a century on an emotional day at the Kia Oval.

Cook hit his 33rd Test ton in front of a 19,000-strong crowd in south London, including dozens of his family and friends, to say goodbye to the international arena in style.

With a baby on the way - Cook's partner Alice is due to give birth this week - the opener could not have written a better script as he made 147 in England's second innnings.

Asked to describe his emotions after Monday's play, he said: "It's just been the most surreal four days of my life. If she (Alice) goes into labour tonight that would probably top it all off but (it's been) incredible.

^{Cook leaves the field after day four}

"There were a few of my friends here as well so for all that to happen today, and every reception that I've had over these four days, has been incredible.

"Even those last four overs, when the whole crowd was singing my Barmy Army song, was incredibly special."

Cook has experienced many significant highs during his 12-and-a-half-year Test career, so where does this extraordinary game - in which he also made a first-innings half-century - rank?

"From a purely selfish point of view, I couldn't have asked for a better week for me so yes (it is the best) on that side," he said.

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"But there have obviously been bigger things and more important games which have meant more.

"On a purely emotional level, with a lot of my friends and family here - Alice's grandad is here, my mum and dad, Alice's mum and dad, most of the farmers from Bedfordshire and some of my school friends - in one way everyone said the pressure would be off but in a different way it's been one of those weeks where, with every reception I've got, to go out and not get a nought has brought a different kind of pressure.

"To perform and have a day like that is a nice way to go."