Cook signs off with a perfect record

Cook was selected to skipper the Test and one-day sides in Bangladesh after Andrew Strauss opted to skip the trip, allowing his fellow opener to register whitewashes in both series.

Cook's 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. He looks well-placed to assume the mantle of Strauss' long-term successor.

But results of 3-0 in the ODI 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 ten 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."

And while Cook must be content with the number of runs he has amassed while in charge of the side – 157 runs at 52 in the ODI campaign and 342 runs at 114 in the two Tests – he is happy to be heading back to 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 of the side.

"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 Al Hasan, who took the man-of-the-match honours after scoring 145 runs in the match and taking four first-innings wickets, was frustrated by the result.

Having spent much of the first three days firmly on the front foot, his side's performances tailed off towards the end, allowing England to secure a result that looked unlikely at the halfway stage.

Shakib believes just a handful more runs yesterday afternoon would have been enough to record a draw that would rank alongside the Tigers' best ever results.

"We don't play very often for five days and draw the match. It was a very good chance for us to bat for three or four hours, maybe even two sessions, and take a draw," said Shakib.

"Even then I just wanted another 20-25 runs, so that we could push them. If they had needed 110 runs in each session things would have been easier for us.

"But instead they needed only 100 in each session and it was too difficult for us."