 | I do feel I've got something to offer |
Andrew Strauss says he is ready to become full-time England captain. The selectors are expected to say next week who will lead the side against Pakistan, with Michael Vaughan due to have a fourth knee operation on Monday.
Vaughan is doubtful for the Ashes later this year and Strauss, leading the side in the one-dayers against Sri Lanka, is among the candidates to fill the role.
"I've said before it's a massive honour to captain England and if the job was offered to me I'd do it," Strauss said.
The opening batsman insists he has had no indication from the selectors, but believes a decision needs to be made soon for the sake of the team.
Strauss took charge for two one-dayers in India and was named skipper for the one-day series against Sri Lanka after Andrew Flintoff was ruled out with an ankle injury which could keep him out of the first Test with Pakistan on 13 July.
"It's something that will need to be resolved sooner rather than later and I'm sure by the beginning of next week something will be ready to be said," he explained.
"It's not ideal to have stand-in captains and I have been a stand-in for a stand-in which is far from ideal."
Flintoff and fellow opener Marcus Trescothick are the other candidates for the role but Strauss remains keen to land it despite losing four straight games to Sri Lanka.
 Trescothick is another option if the selectors overlook Strauss |
"It's been tough but I maintain you learn a lot more about yourself and others when things aren't going well," the Middlesex star added.
"Captaining any side is a tough job, which is why not everyone wants to do it and captaining England is an even tougher job.
"But it's a great challenge and, if things do go well, there is a massive upside to it as well.
"It's never going to be a slight on me if someone else was selected to do the job but, at the same time, I do feel I've got something to offer."
If he does get the nod, Strauss says he is prepared for plenty of hard work - and he wants his team-mates to do the same.
The 29-year-old added: "My personal leadership style has always been to lead by example. You can't ask anyone to do anything you are not willing to do.
| I wish Michael Vaughan well but I expect to see Fred in charge in Australia - he's the obvious choice |
"If we want to prepare ourselves properly, that's got to come right from the top. I'm a big believer in leaving as little to chance as possible."
Chairman of selectors David Graveney said: "We won't be making any quick decisions about who is going to captain the side in the winter.
"Until the situation becomes a little clearer later in the summer, we won't be looking at that issue.
"We need to get as much information as possible about the injured players before we consider things."
Ian Botham, meanwhile, expects Flintoff to be leading the side in Australia.
"I wish Michael Vaughan well but I expect to see Fred in charge - he's the obvious choice, there is no-one else," the former England all-rounder said.
"He has earned that position, he's got the respect of his own players and the opposition players and he has done it by performing."
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Interview: England stand-in captain Andrew Strauss