Alastair Cook steps down as England Test skipper, to continue playing as batsman

New Delhi: England cricketer Alastair Cook on Monday stepped down as the skipper of the Test squad.

The news was confirmed by England Cricket through a statement.

Appointed in August 2012, Cook has led the team through more Test matches than any other England captain. His record includes Ashes victories at home in 2013 and 2015 as well as series wins in India and South Africa. He also led the one-day side for 69 one-day internationals between 2010 and 2014, another England record.

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.

The 32-year old opening batsman is England’s most capped Test captain, has scored more Test centuries than any previous captain and is England’s most prolific Test batsman with 11,057 runs in 140 Tests to date.

Alastair Cook has stepped down from his role after 59 Tests as England Test captain.