Sunday 23 August 2015 18:13, UK
England captain Alastair Cook saluted his "underdogs" as they celebrated a famous Ashes series victory.
Cook's side lost the final Test at The Oval by an innings and 46 runs, but won the series 3-2 and reclaimed the Ashes.
England were hammered 5-0 in Australia 2012-13, destroyed by the pace of Mitchell Johnson. The Aussies were favourites going into this summer's campaign, but England's victories at Cardiff, Edgbaston and Trent Bridge won the series.
Cook told Sky Sports Ashes: "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.
"We've played some really good cricket at crucial moments. 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.
"And I said at the beginning of the series it would be an amazing achievement to beat this Australian side. 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 [Sydney Cricket Ground], beaten 5-0…to rebuild a side with lots of different faces, learning the hard game of Test cricket, they've been brilliant."
However, Cook admitted that he was disappointed with his team's performance in the final Test.
"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."
