New Delhi: Alastair Cook has decided to step down from captaincy after leading England for a record 59 Test matches.
Cook’s decision came in the back drop of a humiliating 0-4 whitewash against India.
“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.” Cook was quoted as saying by the England and Wales Cricket Borad (ECB).
Cook had earlier said after the last Test match against India that he would decide on his future as England captain only after spending some time away from cricket.
On Monday, Cook finally informed ECB about his decision. “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.”
Cook has been one of the successful England captains with Ashes victories at home in 2013 and 2015 as well as series wins in India and South Africa.
But off late his record as an England captain degraded rapidly. England lost eight of its 17 Tests in 2016, including a first test defeat to Bangladesh, and the demands of the job looked to have taken its toll on Cook by the end of the India series.
Cook, however looked at the positive sides of his tenure as an England captain.
“It’s been a huge honour to be England captain and to lead the Test team over the past five years.”
Director of England Cricket, Andrew Strauss congratulated Cook on his achievements.
“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.”
Andrew Straus says he expects to name a new captain before the team heads to the West Indies on Feb. 22