Autobiography

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'Watch. The. Ball. Commit and watch the ball.'

Alastair Cook is England's greatest batsman. He accumulated 12,472 runs in 161 Test matches over 12 years, making 33 hundreds. Only four players have scored more runs in Test cricket. As captain he led England to 24 victories in 59 Tests.

Such records tell only half the story. Why, at the relatively early age of 33, did he suddenly quit?

Cricket, the sport of gleaming whites and gentility, is polite, friendly and reserved. But there's another side: beneath the surface anxiety looms, tensions run high and emotions can be explosive.

Alastair began and ended his England cricketing career on soaring highs, winning centuries, and yet he periodically feared for his career. He embodies the resilience required at the highest level of international sport, fighting against himself, and an ever-present fear of failure.

He has passed the ultimate examination of temperament and talent.

He recounts the fiery fall-out with Kevin Pietersen and the ruthless decisions a captain must make. He expands on the highs of leading England to their first series win in India in 28 years, the glory of four Ashes wins and what, finally, convinced him to leave international cricket.

To know Alastair Cook is to know what it takes to be successful, in any given field. In this candid autobiography he captures not only what it takes to be one of England's greatest sportsmen but also the price paid by a professional athlete at the top of his game.