Alastair Cook has decided to quit test captaincy. Ashes victories in 2013 and 2015, and series wins in South Africa and India are some of the acheivements of the 32 year old left handed opening batsman.

Having led the English side for 59 tests as a captain out of which 24 matches were won by England. He took over the captaincyin August 2012 and is the second most successful English test captain along with Michael Atherton. He is only second to Michael Vaughan who led his country to 26 wins in 51 matches.

“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." Cook said. According to ESPNCricinfo, Cook discussed his decision with Colin Graves, the chairman of the ECB, on Sunday evening and has confirmed his continuing commitment to playing Test cricket to Andrew Strauss, England's team director, and the selectors.

Cook is the most capped English test cricketer with11,057 runs in 140 Tests. He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2012) and ICC World Test Captain (2013).

Alastair Cook's Profile

Name: Alastair Cook

DOB:25 December 1984

Test Debut:1 March 2006 vs India

Records:

• Most Test runs for England
• all-time highest non-Asian run scorer in Asia
• First England cricketer to be involved in 50 Test wins.
• England's most capped player as well as captain in Tests
• Longest England Test innings (836 minutes), third longest of all time.
• Youngest player to score 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000 and 11,000 runs in Test cricket

What the cricketing world has to say about Alastair Cook?

Great job Cookie. Sad to see him step down but the decision wouldn't of come lightly. Can concentrate on scoring loads of runs now. - Chris Tremlet

Tactically he's learnt a lot, improved a lot. Speaking to the group, he wasn't great but he's improved so much over the last couple years. So I think he's done fantastically well. - James Anderson