ALASTAIR COOK quit as England Test captain yesterday after four-and-a-half years at the helm.

Cook was appointed skipper in August 2012 and was in charge for 59 Tests, leading England to Ashes victories in 2013 and 2015.

The 32-year-old is England’s most-capped Test captain as well as their most prolific batsman, scoring 11,057 runs in 140 Tests.

Cook’s last series as captain was the 4-0 defeat to India late last year and he said: “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.

“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.”

Director of England Cricket Andrew Strauss paid tribute to Cook, saying: “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.

“His country owes him a great debt of gratitude — he’s led the team with determination, conviction and a huge amount of pride over the last five years and his record stands for itself. With more matches leading the team than anyone, including two Ashes wins, he deserves to be seen as one of our country’s great captains.”

Strauss indicated he’d have a successor in place before England head to the West Indies on February 22, though the side doesn’t have another Test until July.

Batsman Joe Root is the overwhelming favourite to replace Cook, but England head coach Trevor Bayliss indicated last week that all options would be looked at.