Alastair Cook: 'I could not walk away from England captaincy'

Alastair Cook has claimed that he could not live with himself if he decided to resign from his role as England captain.

The 29-year-old has been criticised for a number of months due to both his batting form and the team's disappointing results, but two half-centuries and a comfortable victory over India in the third Test appeared to have earned him more time.

"I still feel as if I have a lot to give," Cook told members of the media ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. "It's a great job to have, the England captaincy. To throw it away just as it gets really tough. I couldn't live with that decision at that time.

"It's always hard as a captain - you're saying stuff you're not backing up yourself. Hopefully the guys respect me enough in the dressing room.

"It makes it easier when you score runs, you have more authority and that's what leadership is, leading from the front."

England and India are level at 1-1 heading into day one at Old Trafford on Thursday.