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Alastair Cook's current and former team-mates pay tribute to retiring star in PCA video

PCA shows footage to "humbled" Cook ahead of his 161st and final Test match, against India at The Oval

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Former and current cricketers sent their tributes to Alastair Cook ahead of his international retirement

Ahead of Alastair Cook's 161st and final Test for England, current and former players sent congratulatory messages into the Professional Cricketers' Association for a special tribute video.

Cook, who has taken to the field with 74 different players during his 12-year Test career, said he was humbled after being shown the surprise video - which you can watch at the top of the page - ahead of his international farewell at against India at The Oval.

"Incredibly humbling watching all those messages," said Cook, who has scored 32 centuries and over 12,000 Test runs for England since debuting against India in Nagpur in 2006.

"Not that I am wishing this week away but once it is out of the way and the dust has settled and life has moved on I think it will be a great watch, just to appreciate how many people I have played Test cricket with and how special everything has been.

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Cook was given a guard of honour by India as he walked out to bat in England's first innings at The Oval

"It is a bit surreal at the moment with all the adulation but I am determined to go out and enjoy it and I am determined to go out with a win.

"It has been a privilege to pull on the England shirt. You almost forget how many people I have played with and it has been fantastic.

"I thank everyone for sharing my journey and my time in the team but everyone will have their own story.

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"It has been fantastic and I am a very lucky boy."

Watch Cook's final Test - against the same side he played against in his first, in Nagpur in 2006 - live now on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404) and Sky Sports Main Event (channel 401).

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