Alastair Cook knows that "sometimes dreams come true" after his fairytale farewell Test century at The Oval.
Cook, badly out of form for much of this year, chose the perfect time to prove he still has what it takes by compiling a six-and-a-half-hour 147 in his final Test innings as England batted India out of the equation and put themselves on course for victory.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ Alastair Cook's 71 & 147 in his 161st and final Test for England epitomises the mental strength behind his incredible career...
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) September 10, 2018
๐ #ThanksChef #ENGvIND #ThankYouChef pic.twitter.com/wYGVaRPUWa
England's all-time record runscorer was accorded seven standing ovations as a near 20,000 crowd continually voiced their appreciation of his past and present deeds on day four of the fifth Specsavers Test.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ข Alastair Cook's 291st & final innings for England - 12 years after his first - is over after a fairytale 33rd Test century
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) September 10, 2018
๐ He finishes 5th on the all-time Test runscorer list with 12,472 and no opener in history has ever scored more
๐ #ThanksChef#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/CskTWxT9ZB
Thanks too to his captain Joe Root - who hit 125 in their third-wicket stand of 259 - England piled up 423 for eight declared.
Then two late wickets from James Anderson not only put him level with the great Glenn McGrath on 563 - the most ever by any pace bowler in Test cricket - but helped to leave India two for three.
After they then recovered to 58 without further loss, Cook was cheered from the ground one more time as he and his team-mates made their way off at stumps.
Within minutes, he began several rounds of interviews to sum up an experience he describes as "surreal".
"Sometimes dreams come true," he told Sky Sports Cricket, as he recalled the moment he reached three-figures for the last time in Tests.
"It was very emotional - there was definitely a lump in my throat with that ovation.
"It's one of those days where you will look back and forever go 'Wow!'"
The moment Alastair Cook reached his 33rd Test century in his last innings! ๐
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 10, 2018
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/6erwzLEIKR#ThankYouChef ๐จโ๐ณ #EngvInd pic.twitter.com/qnobBrQdoA
In his close-of-play press conference, he explained what was said between him and his captain as the Oval crowd's ovation for his hundred appeared never-ending.
"Rooty was like - 'Hang on a minute, I've got some runs to get as well here' when he was marking his guard and they wouldn't shut up.
"It was phenomenal."
The 33-year-old opener also reflected on the impending birth of his third child - after his last England innings coincided with his wife Alice's due date.
"It's just been the most surreal four days of my life really. I suppose if she goes into labour tonight, that'll probably top it off.
"For that all to happen today, and every reception I've had over the last four days, it's just been incredible.
"From a purely selfish point of view, I couldn't have asked for a better week."
He was watched by his nearest and dearest, among the thousands of well-wishers.
"It's all draining out of me now," he said. "There's probably 30 drunk farmers from Bedfordshire that want to say hello later on, so I need to get some energy for them and top off a very special day."
Cook announced his decision to retire just a week ago - and despite making 218 runs in his two innings here, he will not be having a rethink.
He said: "It absolutely confirms it. It's been something that's been coming for 12-18 months.
"It's weird, because actually it was a really easy decision for me ... it was made for me.
"But it was obviously a big decision - chasing your dreams and playing for England, it's all I've really known."
He is convinced he has got the call right.
"It's just time," he added. "It's time for me - it's time for my family. It's always nice people wanting a little bit more than trying to kick you out, and to go on your own terms makes it even better."
