The most Tests as England captain and a better average as skipper – Alastair Cook in Opta numbers

Alastair Cook could never be accused of failing to lead by example in his record reign as England Test captain, which ended with his resignation on Sunday.

It came as little surprise when the England and Wales Cricket Board on Monday announced the prolific opening batsman had resigned after leading his country a record 59 times in the longest format.

Having replaced Andrew Strauss in 2012, Cook decided the time has now come to step down, but the 32-year-old plans to play on at Test level.

Cook has had his critics during his time as skipper, but the left-hander has also inspired plenty of success, including two Ashes series wins.

We look at how the Opta numbers stack up for Cook, both as a leader and prior to his elevation.

59 – Alastair Cook was @englandcricket skipper more often than any other man in Test match cricket (59 Tests). Era. pic.twitter.com/X8V8XMDm7h

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) February 6, 2017

24 – There were 24 Test victories, 22 defeats and 13 draws for England under Cook.

37.3 – Only David Gower, Michael Atherton and Archie MacLaren can boast a better win percentage than Cook’s 37.3 per cent.

4844 – Cook made 4844 runs in 111 innings as skipper at an average of 46.6, scoring 12 centuries.

46.4 – That average is marginally better than his average of 46.4 before he was installed as skipper.

5 – Only five men – Graeme Smith, Allan Border, Ricky Ponting, Clive Lloyd and Stephen Fleming – have scored more runs as a Test captain.

4,844 – Cook scored 4,844 runs as a Test captain; only 5 players have ever recorded more (G Smith, Border, Ponting, Lloyd & Fleming). Skip. pic.twitter.com/LsAVafktM9

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) February 6, 2017