Cook: We’re better than the 2005 Ashes team

Alastair Cook claimed his Ashes-winning heroes have the edge on England’s 2005 side as he challenged his players to make history against Australia over the next five days.

Leading 3-0 with one game of the Investec Series to play, Cook’s side have already sealed the series but if they prevail at The Kia Oval, they will become the first England team to beat Australia 4-0 in a Test series and the first to win four Tests in a home Ashes summer.

Even though this is not a strong Australian touring party, it would still be a fine achievement.

Michael Vaughan’s team of 2005 were feted because they beat one of the greatest sides in history to reclaim the urn but current skipper Cook believes there is more talent in English cricket now than there was eight years ago.

“We’ve got an opportunity to do something that an England side has never done before to Australia,” said Cook. “That’s pretty good motivation in itself.

“It’s always nice to be part of a side that does create history and we’ve done it in the past.

“There are no guarantees we can do it but it’s great to have something we can attain and we’ve earned the right to do that.

“The 2005 series was the pinnacle of what that team achieved. They were a very good side for the two years leading up to that but the next generation weren’t ready to play to the same level, because it had been such a stable side.

“I feel as though now, especially in the fast-bowling department, we seem to have a huge number of options. We’ve lost Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions to injury and the guys we’re calling in are Chris Tremlett and Steve Finn.