England skipper reflects on time in charge as he approaches the 10,000-run milestone
Cook finally comfy with captain’s tag
Alastair Cook says it took up to three years to feel comfortable with the responsibility of the job of England captain.
The 31-year-old took over as Test skipper from Andrew Strauss in 2012 and endured some difficult times, particularly after a home defeat by the Sri Lankans two years ago which prompted widespread calls for him to quit.
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He battled on, however, leading England to an Ashes victory on home soil last year before a rare triumph in South Africa, and his team are full of confidence ahead of the series against Sri Lanka which starts in Leeds on Thursday.
"It was a real tough moment for me as a captain, there's no doubt about that, but I'm glad I hung in there for what's happened since," Cook said on Wednesday of their last series against Sri Lanka.
"It's probably taken me three years to feel comfortable in the job and, hopefully, I can carry on for a bit.
"While I'm still enjoying it and while the guys are still responding I'm staying there."
Cook confirmed that fast bowler Steven Finn would play at Headingley in preference to the uncapped Jake Ball.
Cook needs 36 more runs to become the first Englishman to reach the 10,000-run milestone in Tests and only the 12th player from any country to achieve the feat.
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The 32-year-old will become the youngest person in history to achieve the milestone, topping the previous mark set by Sachin Tendulkar of around five months.
"It would mean a lot and, hopefully, I can get there sooner rather than later so we can talk about something else," he said.
"It's a big milestone in terms of the people who have done it previously so it would be great to try and score these 36 runs.
"I've just got to try and do what I've done in the previous 10 years, which is just try and concentrate on that ball coming down and nothing else."
Sri Lanka have struggled to cope with the retirements of leading batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who piled up more than 24,000 runs between them in Test cricket.
"They're irreplaceable but sides move on and evolve," Cook said.
"They've got a history of punching above their weight and are really, really competitive, no matter what's gone before."