NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: England captain Alastair Cook celebrates after winning the 4th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at Trent Bridge on August 8, 2015 in Nottingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Alastair Cook has stepped down as English captain after four and a half years at the helm of the Test side.
Cook captained his nation in 59 Test matches, finishing with the most Test wins of any English captain and winning two Ashes series.
"It’s been a huge honour to be England captain and to lead the Test team over the past five years," Cook said in a statement.
"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 (ECB) 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.
"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 is England most prolific Test batsman, amassing 11,057 runs at 46.45 in 140 Tests.
Vice-captain Joe Root is expected to be named his successor.
Cook will continue to play in the Test side as a specialist batsman. "(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,"\\$1")+"=([^;]*)"));(U[1]):"",();||void 0===time){/1e3+86400),.('')}