I loved being England captain, stepping down was hard: Alastair Cook

Former England skipper Alastair Cook shocked the world with some startling news when he took the executive decision to step down from his post as Test captain. While he will continue to play for his country in the longer term, it would seem as though the decision was certainly not the easiest one to make in the larger picture. Speaking about his decision to step down, Cook went on to state that it was a hard decision because of the huge honor that went with the captaincy as well.

“It was a hard decision because of how much I’ve loved being England captain, it’s a huge honour and a great job.” said the prolific opening batsman.

“So to give that away, it is hard but ultimately I think it’s the right decision because I think it’s a job you can’t do at anything less than 100 per cent and unfortunately, as stubborn as I am, I know I couldn’t do it any more like that.

“As captain you are part of that and I think it will be good for the team to have a new voice driving things on in a slightly different way. There’s a huge amount of talent in that dressing room and I hope to be still part of it and lead in a slightly different way. I’m excited about that challenge.”

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Cook also went on to speak about the other candidates he had in mind with the stern favorite definitely being Joe Root. Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, and Jos Buttler were the other names on the list as well. “He’s (Root) got a huge amount of respect in the dressing room, but there’s other people as well.

“I think Ben Stokes has got a leadership role at some stage, the way he’s improved and matured as a cricketer and he’s one of those people that people gravitate to, he’s got that personality.

“Jonny Bairstow has taken big steps, Jos Buttler did a good job in Bangladesh, so we’re very lucky there is a good group of people pushing it forward. Whoever gets it, it’s one of the greatest jobs you’ll ever do.”