Alastair Cook praised the ‘amazing achievement’ of his side in winning the Investec Ashes, despite succumbing to an innings defeat in the final match at the Kia Oval.

Moeen Ali’s fluent 35 ensured that England went down fighting on the final day of a topsy-turvy series, one they won 3-2 having secured the urn at Trent Bridge a fortnight previous. 

“I said at the beginning of the series it would be an amazing achievement to beat this Australian side,” said Cook. 

“It has to rank right up there. It's been a very different series – two-and-a-half-day matches – so brilliant Test matches, very exciting. I'm very proud of the lads.

"It's the culmination of a lot of very hard work. Sitting there at the SCG, beaten 5-0, to rebuild a side with lots of different faces, learning the hard game of Test cricket, they've been brilliant.”

Cook, who scored 85 in England’s second innings, also had kind words for the British public with which his side have reconnected so impressively during the 2015 summer. 

"We've played some really good cricket at crucial moments,” he said. “It's been a great series to be part of. The crowds have been absolutely fantastic at all five venues.

"Away from the ground the support has been absolutely amazing. So from all the players, we thank everyone.

"I honestly believed at the start of the series that this was a really talented group of players who could surprise me. I think being underdogs at the start of the series helped us. 

“There was not much pressure on us really. So we could go and play with that bit of freedom.”

Cook admitted his side hadn’t been at the races during the dead rubber defeat at the Kia Oval, in which they leaked a first innings total of 481 before succumbing to 149 and 286 in reply.

The clinical nature of Australia’s Fifth Test victory, however, only highlights England’s achievement according to Cook.

"It's been an interesting match – we've probably been a little bit off in terms of intensity," he said.

"But credit to Australia and the character they showed. To lose the Ashes and then play as well as they have done - we haven't played well at all – it's a credit to their character to bounce back.

“You've seen how strong Australia are in this game. So to have beaten them three times is a huge credit to the guys here.”

 

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