Alastair Cook quits as England Test captain

“I look forward to the next part of my career, supporting the next guy as best I can, and hopefully scoring some runs as well and being part of England’s success”.

Relinquishing captaincy can aid Alastair Cook: Page 19.

“Hopefully Joe Root will take the reins and I think he’ll do a good job as captain”.

But his captaincy had come under the scanner recently for England’s poor showing against Bangladesh and their capitulation against India.

Cook has been the only captain who has led the team through more Test Matches than any other English captain.

It would be no surprise to see Cook go past Ricky Ponting, now second on the list with 13,378 runs, even if Sachin Tendulkar’s world record mark of 15,921 looks insurmountable.

“When he steps on the field for the first time as England captain in July, a lot of that stuff will already be taken care of”.

The opening batsman also led the one-day side for 69 matches between 2010 and 2014, which is another England record. “That kept me going, and of course my family and friends who mean the world to me and stuck with me through the tough times”.

Cook suggested during that series that the Australian’s criticism had become personal and that “something needs to be done” about the repeated attacks. Instead, he simply carried on with his job, and the dignity and integrity he displayed in those times proves the measure of the man.

Long had Cook dreamed of returning to Australia, as captain, and avenging the 5-0 defeat of 2013-14. He won in India and a home Ashes series with the first crop, and in South Africa and a home Ashes with the second. The 2015 summer was Cook’s finest in terms of captaincy, becoming clearly invigorated, less rigid, more aggressive, helped by Bayliss’ appointment and a more open approach to taking on advice.

India and England both love their cricket.

The outcome of the digging was filthy, and some argued dirty, as Kevin Pietersen was once again banished from the England fold for his divisive conduct inside the dressing room.

Dhoni and Cook may be poles apart when it comes to their batting but their demeanour and cricketing knowledge is very much alike. With the pressure of captaincy lifted from his shoulders, the left-hander has been tipped to get back to his prolific best. Cook’s guidance and assistance will be vital in helping the Yorkshireman settle in to the job.

“He had some thoughts and reservations about how much he had left in the tank as England’s longest-serving Test captain, and over the last 10 days or so, it was clear his mind was made up”.

There could still be no real argument about Cook, in his own quiet, undemonstrative fashion, having become one of the great achievers of modern English sport.