Lessons to be learned as captain Cook hands back to Strauss

Cook was selected to captain the Test and one-day sides in Bangladesh after Andrew Strauss opted to skip the trip and the opener duly delivered whitewashes in both series.

His own form has flourished along the way, a fact underlined by yesterday's knock of 109 not out which sealed a nine-wicket win in the second Test.

After a frustrating morning which saw the tourists' target swell to 209 in a minimum 55 overs, Cook compiled a measured innings in an unbroken 167-run stand with Kevin Pietersen (74no).

James Tredwell took the plaudits with the ball, finishing with 4-82 as the Tigers made 285 all out.

Just prior to lunch, Bangladesh might have fancied setting a sterner chase in fewer overs but they lost their last two wickets in 10 deliveries either side of lunch, with captain Shakib Al Hasan last man out on 96, denied a richly-deserved hundred.

Cook, therefore, seems well-placed to assume the mantle of Strauss's long-term heir.

But results of 3-0 in the one-day international series and 2-0 in the Test leg do little justice to a Bangladesh side who gave their more decorated opponents a number of scares in the process.

Cook, for one, is aware that there are lessons to be learned.

"I couldn't have asked for anything more on the tour. We were expected to win 3-0 and 2-0 and we have," he said. "It's been a lot of hard work and a lot of credit goes to Bangladesh for the way they've made us work, especially in the last 10 days, and it's a very satisfying feeling.

"But the captaincy had its moments. I now know how I need to get better as a captain, especially with my leadership in the dressing room.

"Areas like that I need to work on. I couldn't have asked for any more support from the players and coaches and I can now go back, speak to a few people and get the best out of myself as a captain.

"There are a lot of things (to improve). I didn't really know what would happen as a captain so there were eye-openers, but they will have to stay private for me to develop as a captain."

While Cook must be content with the number of runs he has amassed while in charge – 157 at 52 in the ODI campaign and 342 at 114 across both Tests – he is happy to be dropping back into the ranks for the time being.

"One aspect that's really pleased me is how I've dealt with batting while captaining," he said. "When I've batted, I've been able to really concentrate on that. But I've come in here for five weeks only to be as good a captain as I can be and I'm glad Straussy is coming back."

Graeme Swann, England's man of the series after picking up 16 wickets on two of the cricket world's least responsive pitches, hailed Cook's stewardship.

"I think Cookie's done an exceptional job," said the off-spinner. "Coming here to Bangladesh there is a pressure to win every match, and win convincingly.

"I think that is something going back over the last decade with Bangladesh teams that were weaker in the past because they are not a pushover anymore.

"You have to play good, hard cricket and you have to have a strong leader and a cohesive unit. I think Cookie has been an exceptional leader under those circumstances."

Bangladesh captain Shakib, who took the man-of-the-match honours after scoring 145 runs and taking four first-innings wickets, was frustrated by the result.