Alastair Cook pens new two-year Essex contract

Alastair Cook at an Essex CCC photocall on April 7, 2016
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England Test captain Alastair Cook pens a new two-year contract with his county side Essex.

England Test captain Alastair Cook has signed a new two-year contract with Essex.

The 31-year-old has played 79 first-class matches with the county side in the last 13 years and had a strong start to the 2016 season.

"I've been at Essex for all of my career since making my debut in 2003 and I hope to continue playing here for as long as possible," he told the club website.

Cook has scored three centuries so far this season and amassed a total of 523 runs in Essex's first four matches of the year.

Ben Stokes and Joe Root walk off for tea on day two of the third Test between South Africa and England on January 15, 2016
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