Strauss 'not losing taste for captaincy' (From Messenger Newspapers)

Strauss 'not losing taste for captaincy'

3:46pm Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Premier League and National Sports News © Press Association 2013

Andrew Strauss insists he is "not even close" to thinking he has had enough of the England captaincy, despite his long and vain search for his 20th Test century.

Strauss has made just one hundred in his last 49 Test innings - 18 months ago in Brisbane at the start of the 2010/11 Ashes - as his world-beating team approach a new summer.

Asked if he has ever felt fed-up of the job, he said: "Not even close. There may be a situation where that has happened to England captains in the past - and maybe it will to me in the future - but I'm not there at the moment yet."

Speaking on the eve of the first Investec Test against the West Indies at Lord's, opener Strauss' home ground and where he made a century on his debut, he said: "I'm excited about the challenges ahead, to come out at Lord's again, and I'm hoping we will all show what we're capable of this summer."

Strauss acknowledged opening batsmen need to score runs, and added: "It was obviously a big issue at the end of the winter, and I recognise as captain and as an opening batsman that I need to contribute.

"I fully intend to do that. I've got no reason in my mind why I shouldn't go on and do that this summer."

West Indies captain Darren Sammy also has his critics.

When he was asked about the possibility of targeting Strauss, he spoke up for his opposite number.

"I don't think it's the first time he has been under pressure, and he's responded quite well in the past," he said.

"Pressure could make you crumble; pressure could make you rise above your expectations - and I know Strauss is a strong guy mentally."