Alastair Cook has been under the pump for a while now, owing to the lack of runs from his bat and his team’s run of defeats. He was faced with similar questions ahead of the third Test against India in Southampton and he steadfastly stated that he has no intention of stepping down from England captaincy despite his and the team’s woes. "As I keep saying in every press conference, I'm desperate to carry on - because I love being England captain. It's a huge honour,” Cook said. "I said when I first took over, 'I just want to throw everything into it' - and until that time where I don't feel as if I can carry on doing it or someone taps me on the shoulder, then that's what I'm going to do." About his team’s poor recent record, Cook said the most frustrating aspect is not finishing off games from positions of strength. "The frustrating thing has been that we've been getting ourselves into situations, especially in the four Test matches where we're ahead of the game by quite a long way and haven't been able to force that result. "We must be doing a lot of things really well. But at the crucial sessions, when we need to stamp our authority to get that win, we haven't managed to take (that chance). It's bubbling under but the longer it goes without a win it becomes harder and harder,” he said. About his own lack of form, Cook said, “History suggests when I score runs England have a really good chance of winning games of cricket. That is exciting – I love that. There is nothing worse when you don’t score runs than walking back in and feeling you have let the other 10 guys because that is your job as an opening batter – to score runs and set up games. I haven’t been doing that and that is frustrating.” He said he has been putting in extra time and effort in his batting. “The other day I came down early and had a two-hour hit with Mooresy (Peter Moores) and I was in early today so I am putting in the hard yards and sometimes you don’t feel as if you are getting rewards. That is why it is such a hard game at the top of the order against quality bowlers –that is why it is Test cricket. Nothing will give me more satisfaction than if I do pull through and score runs because I know how much effort and blood, sweat and tears have gone into it.” He said he has been hitting the ball well in the nets and now it’s all about transforming that in the performance on the field. “The last two or three weeks – I know it is just a net – but the ball has been hitting the middle of the bat, the ball is going where I want the ball to be going, I feel as if I am moving well. At Lord’s I battled hard and the two mistakes I made I got out. To me it is not that far away – I just can’t keep saying it – everyone will laugh until I get results.”