Alastair Cook looking to improve Ashes batting

England captain Alastair Cook has conceded that he was disappointed by his performance with the bat during the most recent Ashes series.

Despite the fact that his side retained the urn, Cook averaged just 27.70 over the five Tests.

Looking ahead to the return meeting in Australia, which will get underway next month, Cook has expressed his determination to improve upon his figures.

"You don't look at any career and see a constant upward curve. That's what being a batsmen is. But it doesn't sit easy with me to say that and accept it to be fine," he told ESPN Cricinfo.

"As a captain you want to lead from the front and score runs; that is your primary job. Particularly when you play your first Ashes series as captain. But until you've gone through it you don't really know what to expect. It is more intense, it is more heightened.

"I don't think that has affected my batting. It's more of a bone of frustration. I still felt I contributed with three fifties and if you change fifties into hundreds it changes the complexion. I'm looking forward to putting that right."

Cook took over the England Test captaincy from Andrew Strauss in August 2012.