Essex batsman Cook steps down as England test captain

• Video report by ITV News Anglia's Donovan Blake

Essex's Alastair Cook has stepped down as captain of the England test team with immediate effect.

The 32-year-old led his country in a record 59 tests and marshalled two Ashes victories in 2013 and 2015.

However, his side were thrashed 4-0 in India recently and Cook has now made the decision to call it a day after taking time out to think about his future.

Despite giving up the captaincy, Cook says that he still wants to continue as a player.

England will now start the search for a new captain, with someone expected to be in charge by the time they head to the West Indies at the end of February.

“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," Director of England Cricket, Andrew Strauss said.

"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."

Cook is undoubtedly one of England's greatest players of all time, and has scored 11,057 runs in 140 Tests to date.

He won 24 of his 59 tests as captain, losing 22 and drawing 13.