Alastair Cook has resigned as England test captain after leading his country in a record 59 Tests – more than any skipper before him.
Cook steered them to Ashes victories in 2013 and 2015, but was left questioning his role after England’s recent 4-0 test series defeat to India.
Alastair Cook has stepped down as England‘s test captain but plans to carry on as a player, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Monday.
ECB has started the process to appoint the next test captain and Vice-captain Joe Root is expected to succeed him.
“Stepping down has been an incredibly hard decision but I know this is the correct decision for me and at the right time for the team,” he said in a statement.
The 32-year-old player has scored more test centuries than any of his predecessors and is also the country’s most prolific test batsman with 11,057 runs in 140 tests.
“Playing for England really is a privilege and I hope to carry on as a test player, making a full contribution and helping the next England captain and the team however I can,” Cook said.