Cook: England farewell the most amazing week

James Anderson ensured Alastair Cook's international career ended with a win by claiming the final wicket in the fifth Test against India.

England opener Alastair Cook celebrating the fifth Test win over India

Alastair Cook described his international farewell as "the most amazing week" after England wrapped up a 4-1 series win over India with victory in the final Test.

Opener Cook scored a sensational century in his 162nd Test appearance on Monday, receiving an incredible, extended ovation as he helped England towards a 118-run triumph at the Oval.

The win was sealed by James Anderson flattening Mohammed Shami's middle stump for his 564th wicket in the longest format, sending him past Glenn McGrath to become the most prolific seamer in Tests.

It helped provide England's leading Test run scorer Cook, whose 218 across two innings sent him up to fifth on the all-time list with 12,472, with a fitting send-off.

"It's been the most amazing week, one you couldn't script," he told Sky Sports. "It's just been amazing.

"It's great to be able to contribute to an England win, to win the series 4-1. But it was also a great game of cricket. To go into the last session on the last day with all three results possible was a great advert for Test cricket.

"For me on a very selfish thing to be standing there and everyone cheering, all my friends and family who came on day four … somewhere it was written.

"And then obviously to see Jimmy pass Glenn McGrath's record was just brilliant. Him and Broady [Stuart Broad] I've played so much cricket with and that was probably the hardest bit when you're making the decision.

"Even though the decision's quite easy knowing that you'll never stand at first slip and drop another catch like one of those two again."

England took their time in getting the seven wickets required for victory on day five, with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant scoring centuries to aid India's cause.

"You turn up needing seven wickets thinking you've got a good chance of winning the game, but obviously the way KL and Rishabh played it was testing us right to the end," added Cook.

"It just shows what a hard game it is, but I leave with great memories and very privileged to have worn the cap for as long as I have."

Asked if he could be tempted to return for the next Ashes series, Cook responded: "This week can't be beaten. It honestly can't be beaten. I can walk away with my head held high and I've always wanted to do that."