London: After leading England in 59 Tests, Alastair Cook stepped down as England cricket team’s Test skipper here on Monday.
Cook, who took over the captaincy role after Andrew Strauss’ retirement in 2012 and led the side more Test matches than any other England skipper, last captained the national side during their 0-4 defeat at the hands of Virat Kohli-led Indian side last year.
Cook though led England to twin Ashes victories at home in 2013 and 2015 and also captained the side which defeated India in India and South Africa on their home soil. Cook, who is England’s highest run-getter in Tests – 11,057 runs in 140 Tests, also led the England ODI side in 69 games between 2010 and 2014.
“Cook discussed his decision with the Chairman of the England & Wales Cricket Board, Colin Graves, on Sunday evening and has confirmed his continuing commitment to playing Test cricket to Director of England Cricket, Andrew Strauss, and the selectors,” said the England and Wales Cricket Board’s media release.
“His (Cook’s) resignation has been accepted, the Board have been informed and the proper process has started to appoint the next Test captain - the 80th in England’s Test match history,” added ECB.
Joe Root, one of the best modern-day batsmen, is tipped to take over England's captaincy in Tests.
Talking about his decision to step down from captaincy role, Cook said: “It’s been a huge honour to be England captain and to lead the Test team over the past five years. 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.”
“I’ve had time to reflect after the India series and this weekend I spoke to Colin Graves, the Chairman, to explain and offer my resignation. It’s a sad day personally in many ways but I want to thank everyone I’ve captained, all the coaches and support staff and, of course, the England supporters and the Barmy Army who follow us home and away and have given us unwavering support,” added Cook.
“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 concluded.
Andrew Strauss – Cook’s former captain and opening partner and now Director of England Cricket – paid rich tributes to Cook, saying: “I want to thank Alastair, on behalf of the ECB and from a personal perspective, for the fantastic contribution that he’s made to the England Test team since taking over as Captain in 2012.
"His country owes him a great debt of gratitude; he's led the team with determination, conviction and a huge amount of pride over the last five years and his record stands for itself. With more matches leading the team than anyone, including two Ashes wins, he deserves to be seen as one of our country's great captains," Strauss added.
“Off the field as well as on, he has shown his strengths, developing the team and its culture, managing a fundamental transition and helping us to build for the future. As with all leaders, there have been times where circumstances have tested him but his resilience and temperament have helped him to prevail and to prosper.
“He has always served with the best interests of the team in the front of his mind and stays true to that as he steps down from the role. Alastair will be missed in his capacity as Captain but I hope that he has a number of years left to add to his record-breaking feats as an opening batsman and look forward to his continued success.
“We now move on with the process of appointing the right successor. There are a number of established players who are playing formal or informal leadership roles and whilst we've rightly not spoken to anyone in relation to the Test captaincy so far, we can now talk fully and openly within the team. We expect to be able to make an announcement before the team head to the West Indies on 22nd February,” concluded Strauss.
