Alastair Cook has insisted that "something needs to be done" about the 'personal' attacks on his captaincy.

Cook was condemned for a cautious declaration as England fell one wicket short of victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test of the summer at Lord's last week.

Australian leg-spinning great Shane Warne has perhaps been the most outspoken critic of Cook's leadership, branding it "unimaginative and boring", but the 29-year-old has defended his record as skipper and called for those doubters to focus their energy on getting behind the team.

Asked if the criticism was personal, he told BBC Sport: "I think it is, yes. Something needs to be done because for three years as England captain I have been criticised. I find it quite hard to take to be honest. Support and positivity is what this England team needs.

"Yes, when we lose games of cricket as a captain you get criticised, but I've also won a lot of games of cricket for England. I've won more one-day games as an England captain than anyone. I've won an Ashes, I've won in India away, and that's what I am proud of, so to be criticised for three years totally with those results I find quite hard to take to be honest.

"Support and positivity is what this England team needs. The crowd at Lord's were brilliant and a bit more support like that will stand everyone in good stead."

Cook has won nine, lost six and drawn seven of his 22 Tests since becoming captain in 2012.