We've to forget about Lord's win: Cook

London:

England batsman Alastair Cook feels the side has to quickly get over the elation of winning the second Ashes Test at Lord's as harping on the historic win for too long may end up derailing the hosts' bid for the coveted title.

"We have to forget about Lord's. There are three matches to go and if we keep harping on about Lord's we might miss the greater goal, which is winning the Ashes. It was very special beating Australia, but it will mean little if we don't back it up," Cook was quoted as saying by 'The Sunday Times'.

Cook said England also have to avoid thinking too much about the loss of Kevin Pietersen, who has been ruled out due to an Achilles injury.

"KP's our best batter. His stats say that and he has that rare ability to change games. He's a huge loss, but there's no point wishing he was around. We have to move on. Someone else has a great chance to fill his boots," Cook said.

Looking back at the Lord's triumph, the first for England against Australia in 75 years, Cook said talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was the most inspiring figure in the team both on and off the field.

Cook said Flintoff was charged up more than anyone else on the fourth day of the match and had a word with the entire team before play started.

"The tone was set by Fred and the crowd, who were in early," Cook said.

"You could see Fred building himself up for a mammoth effort. You could sense him taking the responsibility on himself, going, 'Right. This is my time to get on both honours boards. I want to get on those boards and win the game for England'. He spoke to the team on the field, spoke very well about us staying calm, keeping our heads and not panicking," he was quoted as saying by 'The Sunday Times'.

Flintoff was adjudged man of the match for his inspiring show and Cook said the all-rounder was hostility personified in his bowling.

"It was an incredible performance of hostile bowling. He bowled unbelievably quick on a flat wicket... it was as hostile bowling as I have seen. I have never seen anyone bowl like that for as long as that," he said.

"He's not the smallest of lads and when he thunders in you can see how much it takes out of him. History tells us that his body hasn't been able to stand up to it and we knew this summer was perhaps his last chance. It's a shame. He is bowling as well as he has done," he added.