Alastair Cook thinks England will benefit from a "new voice driving things on" after >he stepped down as Test captain and believes Joe Root is among several candidates with the right credentials to replace him.
Cook's resignation was accepted by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday, bringing to an end his record reign of 59 Tests.
READ: >Alastair Cook in numbers
England's top Test run-scorer had led his country in the longest format since 2012 and he knew it was time for a change following a 4-0 series drubbing in India late last year.
"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.
"You're challenged in so many different ways, I've loved leading all the players, working with all the coaches.
"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.
"It wouldn't be fair to the team or myself to do it at 95 per cent and it's not a job you can do at that level.
"After four or five years of doing it, things just change and ultimately I think the team for the last year have played some good cricket without pushing on.
"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."
Root is the favourite to replace Cook and the former skipper feels the ECB have some great options to fill his boots.
Asked about Root potentially taking over, the left hander said: "I think he'd do a very good job. He's obviously got something about him to bat the way he does.
"He's 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."
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