Cook has now scored five centuries in 15 Tests for England

"It is always vital you play in the build-up and I was lucky enough in one way not to go the World Cup," he said.

"I wish I had been there but I had two months off and worked on my game away from prying eyes with (Essex coaches) Graham Gooch and Andy Flower.

"I came back nice and fresh and I hit the ground running."

Interview: England's Alastair Cook

Alistair Cook's front-foot drive masterclass

Alistair Cook's back-foot drive masterclass

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Cook, 22, made the most of being put into bat but he admitted it was not as easy as it looked early on.

"It was a slow wicket and you couldn't really drive much. You had to wait for it to come into your areas," said Cook.

"It was crucial to get through that first session and keep trying to grind."

As a player, you have always got something to prove. It's crucial England start well this summer Alastair Cook

Cook added that his chastening experiences during the Ashes whitewash had made him stronger.

The Essex man managed just 276 runs, including a century, at an average of 27 as his side were thumped 5-0 by a ruthless Australian outift.

He said: "I would not have wished what happened in Australia on my worst enemies. Those feelings, those games, a lot of people went through hell.

"But you can only learn from an experience like that and look forward."

Of his five Test centuries, this was the one the 22-year-old had "enjoyed the most".

He went on: "As a player, you have always got something to prove. It's crucial England start well this summer."