Alastair in Alice-land

Alastair Cook said support from his wife, Alice, had persuaded him to stay on as England captain after leading the side to a come-from-behind Test series win over India.

After last month's 95-run defeat by India in the second Test at Lord's, a result that meant England had gone 10 Tests without a win, Cook faced calls from several former England captains to stand down as skipper.

But the determined opening batsman insisted he would not quit, despite presiding over a 5-0 Ashes loss in Australia and a 1-0 defeat in a two-Test campaign at home to Sri Lanka immediately prior to the India series.

It was a decision vindicated by England ultimately defeating India 3-1 in a five-Test series, a win completed with a crushing innings and 244-run victory at The Oval on Sunday.

"It was the support I had from my wife," said Cook, when asked what had persuaded him against resigning as England captain.

"You can bare your soul to Alice and she's very good at getting you back on the straight and narrow," the Essex left-hander added.

England suffered a nail-biting match and series loss to Sri Lanka, with just two balls to spare, in the second Test at Headingley after surrendering a strong hand on the fourth day.