Twitter Reactions: Alastair Cook steps down as England Test skipper
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England Test skipper Alastair Cook has stepped down from his post on Monday with immediate effect but will continue to be available for selection for the future Test tours. England next faces South Africa in a Test series in England starting from July. His announcement came at a time when he was under severe pressure especially after losing the Test series to India 0-4. They also lost their first ever Test to Bangladesh during the 2 match series which was followed by the tour of India.
After captaining his nation in 59 Tests from 2012-2017, Cook finally decided to step down and give the younger Joe Root a crack at the highest honour. Cook took over the reign from Andrew Strauss in 2012 who is now the current director of the England team.
Despite the team’s indifferent form of late, Cook has captained England to many memorable victories. It was under his captaincy that England won a Test series in India by a 2-1 margin. Keeping in the mind the rarity of this happening, it will surely be a highlight of Cook’s captaincy career.
It wasn’t easy for Cook to step down after captaining the nation successfully for 5 years but he feels it was the correct time to call the shots for both himself and the team. “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.
Also read: Alastair Cook steps down as captain of England Test team
“I’ve had time to reflect after the India series and this weekend I spoke to Colin Graves, the 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.” He was quoted by ECB.co.uk as saying.
Twitteratti was pretty active following his announcement and the whole cricketing fraternity took to their twitter account and wished him a successful road ahead. Here are some of the best tweets.
Thanks for all of your hard work Captain Cook, it's been a pleasure to watch you marshal the troops with such skill and pride #thankschef
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) February 6, 2017
He's been a very disciplined captain both on and off the field ? #AlastairCook pic.twitter.com/SIonnNubTI
— Afeen J Anderson (@EngCrcktFanGirl) February 6, 2017
.@EnglandCricket's greatest ever batsman. Alastair Cook will go on to break more records and be an integral part of the squad. Cheers, skip!
— Ryan Hemmings (@RyanHemmings) February 6, 2017
English fans will highlight Alastair Cook's Ashes triumphs, but beating India in India after losing first Test (2012-13) arguably his finest
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 6, 2017
Timing in life is everything .. and once again Alastair Cook has got it spot on .. A Great man who I hope plays on for many more years #Cook
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 6, 2017
Alastair Cook – walk tall, stand proud. You rocked it. @englandcricket
— Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) February 6, 2017
Alastair Cook is the only visiting captain to win Test series in both India (2012) & South Africa (2015/16).
— Deepu Narayana (@deeputalks) February 6, 2017
Alastair Cook as England captain:
4844 Runs
59 Tests
10 Centuries
2 Ashes pic.twitter.com/xcvxugQmzI— BigSport (@BigSportGB) February 6, 2017
Fair play to Alastair Cook, double Ashes winning captain, India and South Africa away also on his cv. Steps down with integrity and class
— Dean Wilson (@CricketMirror) February 6, 2017
Most Tests as captain:
109 Graeme Smith
93 Allan Border
80 Stephen Fleming
77 Ricky Ponting
74 Clive Lloyd
60 MS Dhoni
59 ALASTAIR COOK— Deepu Narayana (@deeputalks) February 6, 2017
Year 2017:
Jan-4: MS Dhoni stepped down as captain.
Feb-6: Alastair Cook stepped down as captain.— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 6, 2017
? Bravo to Alastair Cook on a long and fruitful reign as @englandcricket captain.
I look forward to seeing plenty more runs from him! pic.twitter.com/PqctZwlAoq
— Lord's Ground (@HomeOfCricket) February 6, 2017
Only five players (Smith, Border, Ponting, Lloyd & Fleming) have scored more runs as Test captain than Alastair Cook (4844).
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) February 6, 2017
Alastair Cook was not one of England's great captains but he was respected by team mates (well, all but one) and not every capt can say that
— Derek Pringle (@derekpringle) February 6, 2017
So many great memories & achievements with Cooky as captain. I have a lot to thank him for. Looking forward to more playing years with him pic.twitter.com/94uG0sKd5R
— James Anderson (@jimmy9) February 6, 2017
— KP (@KP24) February 6, 2017
Hats off to Alistair Cook. A fantastic captain for @ECB_cricket
Only to lose 13 test matches under his leadership is a hell of a record.— Marcus North (@Marcus_North) February 6, 2017
If Cook has stepped down because he felt he was no longer enjoying captaincy, he will score many more runs since he will be at peace (more)
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 6, 2017
If however Cook was pushed and he still wanted to be captain, I suspect we might have seen the best of a genuinely outstanding player.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 6, 2017
A Cook…59 Tests as Captain in just short of 5 years …a good stint …time to re-energise himself and the team …
— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) February 6, 2017
I'm surprised he's stepped down but hes a great man and a brilliant ambassador for the sport!lots more runs from Cooky in an Eng shirt #cook
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) February 6, 2017
Got to admire how Cook turned things around after rocky period in 2014. Accepted change which helped him as a leader. Also silenced critics
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) February 6, 2017
Petty, mediocre, company man dullard who specialised in sacking maverick geniuses, quits.
Bye, Mr Cook. I'll miss being annoyed by you. pic.twitter.com/x7WivO0hKm— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 6, 2017
Thanks Skip! pic.twitter.com/cvw0oZeaPw
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) February 6, 2017
Sad to see Cooky step down! Legend of a person and always backed me. Thanks skip! ?? pic.twitter.com/YqK2FJay6R
— Moeen Ali (@MoeenAli) February 6, 2017
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 Tremlett (@ChrisTremlett33) February 6, 2017
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