England v Pakistan: Content Cook sets sights on making history

One more at The Oval this week will clinch a 3-1 Investec series win over Pakistan, and complete the hosts’ fightback after losing the first at Lord’s last month.

It will also take Cook level, in England’s all-time list of most successful Test captains, with his predecessor Andrew Strauss – and put him just two short of the only man above either of them, fellow Ashes-winner Michael Vaughan.

Cook may also have an Ashes whitewash defeat on his CV, but a 24th Test win over the next five days may also give him another claim to equality with his current boss Strauss – as captain of an England team which reaches the top of the International Cricket Council rankings.

Either way, having experienced by anyone’s standards some significant downs as well as ups during his tenure, Cook is sounding as optimistic about his long-term future in charge as at any time since he replaced Strauss four years ago.

“It’s the most comfortable I’ve felt captaining a side,” said England’s record Test runscorer. “I’ve only ever captained two sides – the England one-day team and the England Test team.

“The last year or so I’ve really felt comfortable in the captaincy role and everything it brings with it on and off the field.”

At 31, he has some of the toughest yards of all coming up with seven Tests scheduled in Bangladesh and India before Christmas.

Asked if he expects to be as enthusiastic in his role by the start of next year, he said: “I don’t see why not.

“At the end of every series, I’ll sit down with [coach] Trevor (Bayliss) and [England and Wales Cricket Board director] Straussy, and whoever discusses the future of the side, and where we want to go.

“‘Am I still the right captain for this team? Is it time to move on after this series or after India?’

“We always talk about that now, for my sanity as well.”

Cook spoke with great admiration, after England’s win at Edgbaston last week, for the resilience they showed there to overturn a 103-run first-innings deficit.

His team have given him good reason to sustain his appetite through what may be a tough winter – with the further enticement, a year later, of a chance to set the record straight in Australia, after that 5-0 Ashes embarrassment and all its vexed aftermath in 2013/14.

“(After) all those hard moments I’ve had ... it would seem wrong to give it up quite yet,” he said.

“I am really enjoying it.

“But ... if Straussy sees it a different way, he’s the boss.”

Cook led England to victory in India for the first time since 1984, in his maiden series as permanent captain, four years ago.

It will be a memorable achievement if he manages to repeat the feat.

“We’ve got some tough challenges ahead - these five days and then seven straight Tests in the sub-continent,” he added.

“That will be 11 straight weeks away – I think we’re going to need some strong leadership.”

Acknowledging his words amount to a public application to be retained, he added: “I’m basically telling Straussy why he should keep me ...

“It’s going to be a really tough tour for a lot of people. We’ve got to be on it as a group. (But) last time we won in India, so there’s no reason why we can’t (again).”

England appear unlikely to be granted an audition for this winter’s sub-continental tours at an untypically lush Oval this week.

Reverse-swing was handy at Edgbaston, but may prove less so at The Oval – where the famously endless square contains relatively few of its familiar hard and dusty strips this year.