Trescothick backs Cook to carry his form over to Adelaide

That is the view of former England opener Marcus Trescothick, although he believes the fact that the next match follows so swiftly makes the task more difficult.

"I always found it hard work when you play back-to-back Test matches," the Somerset captain said yesterday.

"You've generally found that people who perform well in the first one found it harder in the second and vice-versa – those who have missed out play better.

"Ten days of Test cricket in 13 or 14 days is hard work mentally and to get back to the level he needs and having that same desire about getting that next 150 or double hundred for us to win the game is going to be tough.

"But form is a funny thing. Some people run with it and when they get a big score they get loads of big scores in a row, so hopefully he can.

"He's a strong character, same as (Andrew) Strauss, and they've got everything in place that they need to be able to continue to perform. If mentally they are not too tired then I'm sure they can do it."

Trescothick, a member of the Ashes-winning side in 2005 who called a halt to his Test career because of a stress-related illness, predicted a 2-1 England win before the start of the series and is sticking with that.

"What a fantastic fightback from the boys and things are looking good," he added. "The team has prepared well and I don't think we will ever have a better chance of winning a series Down Under."

While England prepare for their challenge ahead, Trescothick is looking forward to one of his own which could earn him 1m next summer. That is the amount up for grabs if he can clear the Lord's pavilion using the new-style Mongoose bat in a Twenty20 or 40-over game.

The feat has apparently only been achieved once – by Australian Albert Trott in 1899 – although West Indian Kieron Pollard came close last summer.