The India series also showed that in typically English conditions, England's bowling attack can be unstoppable with their tails up.
The Ashes series should at least be competitive now England has some confidence back. Something many neutrals likely feared would not be the case when Cook's men were at rock bottom a month ago.
"I'm glad I stuck through the tough times," Cook said.
Before the Ashes, however, England will put the whites away and slip into one-day mode for the next eight months in preparation for the 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand early next year.
