Cook relieved to get back to winning ways

Alastair Cook admitted it had been a long time coming after England secured their first Test victory for almost a year with flawless display against India at the Ageas Bowl.

The hosts won the third Investec Test by 266 runs and with more than two sessions to spare as Moeen Ali completed his first international five-wicket haul.

The off-spinner took the last four Indian wickets to finish with 6-67 after man-of-the-match James Anderson claimed the first two of six that England needed for victory – the tourists offering little resistance after resuming on 118 for four in pursuit of 445 as they were skittled for just 178.

"It's been a long time coming to be honest with you - too long for my liking,” Cook told ecb.co.uk.

“The pressure we were under after Lord's and to put in a performance like that for four-and-a-half days was exceptional. The challenge now is to repeat that at Old Trafford.

"When you win the toss, bat, get 570 and bowl them out, and then bowl them out again for not that many - it was a great performance.