'Something I didn't think was quite possible' - Cook

Shortly after Michael Clarke had fought back tears on confirming his retirement, Alastair Cook let his emotions through as he tried to soak in his achievement of becoming just the third England captain to win two Ashes series on home soil.

Cook admitted his team - who regained the Ashes early on the third day at Trent Bridge - had surpassed even his expectations with their swift demolition of Australia. This Test barely reached the third day, following on from the two-and-a-half day victory at Edgbaston which came on the heels of a thumping defeat at Lord's.

"Michael's got emotional and it's got me emotional," Cook said at the presentation. "From where we've been over the last 18 months to what we've achieved, I'm incredibly proud of the lads and all the support staff. We've done something I didn't think was quite possible at the beginning of the summer."

Barely 18 months after a shattered Cook had stood on the SCG after Australia completed the 5-0 whitewash which led to a disintegration of the England team he reflected on the change in fortunes.

"When you lose 5-0, there's a turnover of players and a new side develops, it takes a bit of time but you see what talent there is in the country and we saw the end potential here," he said. "Ben Stokes was fantastic here. Joe Root has gone from strength to strength - they have driven this side forward - and the senior players have led so well. As a captain, I'm very lucky to have a group of senior players, Broady to step up, Jimmy, Bell, the support I've had from them means a lot."

Cook also made special mention of Peter Moores, who was sacked as coach at the start of the summer in another messy transition which opened the way for Trevor Bayliss to take the role - a position he only started officially a few weeks before the Ashes.

"Peter Moores isn't here but the amount of work he did, you've seen the players grow as international players. Trevor has come in and taken that forward, but without Peter and that development - it was a tough time a few months ago - he's put a lot of hard work in for that success.

"Today's not about me, or me getting emotional, it's about players who have taken that journey through some incredibly tough times to get the amazing times. That's the moment you play for, when Woody gets the last wicket."