Joe Root has stepped down as England Test captain following their recent series defeat to the West Indies.
Root had come under fire following the loss and the 31-year-old has now decided to resign, saying: "It has been the most challenging decision I have had to make in my career but having discussed this with my family and those closest to me; I know the timing is right. I am immensely proud to have captained my country and will look back on the past five years with enormous pride.
"It has been an honour to have done the job and to have been a custodian of what is the pinnacle of English cricket. I have loved leading my country, but recently it has hit home how much of a toll it has taken on me and the impact it has had on me away from the game.
