Alastair Cook will hang his boots after the final test match of the ongoing series game against India. However, Cook might have to miss his farewell Test match at the Kennington Oval.
According to Daily Star, Cook may have to miss his final match due to personal reasons. The report said that Cook may become a father just before or during the match. Cook's wife Alice is pregnant and she might give a birth to their third child during the final Test.
Earlier, it was reported that the 33-year-old might miss the fourth Test but he went on to play and the date of a new baby’s birth is likely to coincide with the fifth Test. This means Cook leave may miss the match to be with his family.
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If Cook decides to miss the match, England may recall James Vince, who was called as the cover of Ben Stokes in the last game, back to partner Keaton Jennings at the top. ECB has already announced the 13-man squad for the fifth and final Test and Vince has been not included.
If they don't change the 13-man squad, then Ollie Pope may replace Cook in the team. However, it will still leave England without a regular opener. Moeen Ali or Joe Root may move up the order in such a case.
Here's the England squad for the final test:
Joe Root (c), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Oliver Pope, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Sam Curran, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes.
