Alastair Cook 'surprised' by England's Ashes triumph
Sunday 9 August 2015 10:37, UK
Alastair Cook admitted he did not believe England were ready to reclaim the Ashes at the start of the series because his side lacked "match-hardened" players.
Australia entered the series as the No 1 ranked Test team in the world, while England had endured an indifferent year following a disastrous World Cup campaign in March and a change of head coach when Trevor Bayliss replaced Peter Moores in May.
However, England regained the Ashes in emphatic style on Saturday with an innings and 78-run victory at Trent Bridge, leading the series 3-1 with just one match remaining.
"To win like we've done is just beyond belief," Cook said.
"I didn't think we were quite ready to win the Ashes at the beginning, because I thought you needed a group of players who were match-hardened.
"But the guys have surprised me.
"We have won really critical moments, and the players have really stepped up. That shouldn't surprise me - but it has."
England won the third and fourth Tests in less than five days, the latter without the services of bowler James Anderson, and Cook said he was pleased to see his players step up to the mark in the absence of England’s record wicket-taker.
"They have made big steps from guys with little experience to match-winners for England, and hardened professionals and players for England," Cook said.
"I know it sounds a bit silly when you are 2-1 up - but the pressure was on here, on that first morning.
"The guys stood up to the pressure without Jimmy leading the bowling attack.
"They can be incredibly proud of their last three days' work."
Cook told on his team, on the eve of the match, to "etch their names in history", and two players in particular answered their captain's call.
"Every one of those guys can be very proud of the way they have handled the pressure - clearly led by Stuart in the first hour-and-a-half when he did all the damage," Cook added.
"To bowl a team out for 60 you've pretty much won the game.
"If we batted well we had a chance (to win) - and Joe did that."
