Ashes 2013: Alastair Cook eyes ‘very special’ 4-0 Ashes series win

Alastair Cook says it would be a “very special” feat if England can win the fifth and final Test against Australia to secure a 4-0 Ashes series win.

The hosts are hoping to become the first England side to win by such a margin when they take on the Aussies at the Kia Oval, starting on Wednesday.

Cook’s men triumphed in Durham, largely thanks to the heroics of Ian Bell and Stuart Broad, and the England skipper insists his side are fully motivated.

“It would be very special to win the Investec Ashes 4-0 as it has never been done before so that is our motivation as a side,” said Cook at a news conference on Tuesday.

“We are going to hopefully pick the right side, a side that can hopefully win this Test match.

Cook continued: “Preparation has been excellent, training has been good. We haven’t done anything different than if it was 1-1 in the series.

“We don’t know how we’re going to play but in terms of preparation and how the lads have gone about thing I couldn’t have asked for any more.

“We don’t need any more motivation to win a test match is enough for us. It always is. It’s a big enough motivation.

“We have a lot of record breakers in this team and the chance to add another little notch is a great motivation and any time you can beat Australia is a great feeling.

“We know that is the end result. That’s something that can happen after five days but to do that we’ll have to play some pretty good cricket.”