LEEDS (Reuters)
Mark Ramprakash, retained by England for the fourth Ashes Test despite calls for him to be axed, is not apologising for his second-innings dismissal at Trent Bridge which helped accelerate the home team's defeat.

Ramprakash, batting at four, was stumped in the third Test after charging leg-spinner Shane Warne and aiming a lofted drive at the bowler just when a major partnership was needed by England to put the Australians under pressure.

Ramprakash, however, said on Tuesday at Headingley before an England training session: "I didn't get close enough to the pitch of the ball and I was disappointed with the execution of the shot but I'm happy with the thinking behind it. I felt confident enough to attack." Asked if he would try to go down the wicket to Warne again, he said: "Absolutely, yes."

He added: "I have been accused all my Test career of not playing my shots. Whenever possible, I will be looking to take the attacking option. Some of the negative reaction is a pity. It's almost as if in England we would rather a batsman got out to a forward defensive than going for an attacking shot."

Australia's victory at Trent Bridge was their third in a row and gave them the Ashes for the seventh consecutive time. The fourth Test starts at Headingley on Thursday.

Ramprakash, while a fine technician, has been accused of having a suspect temperament and was only recalled against Australia after a year on the sidelines following a series of injuries to leading players. His rash stroke at Trent Bridge led to some English newspapers calling for him to be ditched for good.

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