Cumbria's former England wicketkeeper Paul Nixon believes Alastair Cook is the type of player that every team needs.

Opener Cook, sixth on the all-time list of Test run-scorers, will retire from international cricket after England’s fifth Test against India at The Oval, which starts today.

The likes of cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, controversial Kevin Pietersen and Australian Steve Smith have been among those to pay tribute to the 33-year-old.

And Leicestershire Cricket Club head coach Paul Nixon, from Langwathby near Penrith, has praised the “mental attitude” of Cook who has made 32 Test centuries.

“He has been the glue in the England side for many years now,” he said. “He has had no ego, he has been a workaholic, he has his method and he has stuck to his method. He has great mental attitude and discipline.

“He has been in the pressure pot of Test cricket for a long, long time now.

"It’s more the mental side for him and it has always been more important for him to have a mental release, rather than a physical release. He has always been a fit lad and has been a leader on the fitness side for many years.

“But it’s the mental side where you need to have that release. That’s just what he needs, he wants to come back and play county cricket.

“That is testament to the guy and how much he loves the game, and what Essex County Cricket Club means to him.”

Cook became England captain permanently in 2012 and led the team for five years before standing down, although remained in the side as he racked up 160 Test caps ahead of winning his final one today.

“Alastair Cook is a man that every team needs,” Nixon added.

“He’s a senior leader who has no ego and has time for people. He’s just an absolute genuine bloke.

"There is a great tweet from Sachin Tendulkar which mentioned what a great man Alastair Cook is. When Sachin Tendulkar says it, that is some complement.”

Ben Stokes, from Cockermouth, is also in the England side for the Test at The Oval.