ESSEX cricket coach Paul Grayson says he was not surprised to see Alastair Cook hit his record-breaking Ashes knock - and has warned the Aussies to expect more of the same when the second Test gets underway tonight.

Cook became only the fourth Englishman to score a Test double-century on Australian soil as he helped England rescue a draw in Brisbane.

The Essex opening batsman’s 235 not out helped steer England to a match-saving 517 for one, and broke Don Bradman's record Test score at the Gabba.

Grayson spoke to to Cook on the telephone shortly after the match.

Grayson said: “Cooky sounded very relaxed. He seems to be in a very motivated place at the moment.

“He’d averaged 42 or 43 in Test cricket, but something like 27 in the ten Tests he’d played against Australia, so I think he feels like he owes the Aussies a couple of big scores.

“It’s great he has made runs when the pressure is on because one or two people have questioned him over the last 18 months.

“But for a 25-year-old he has a terrific record, and I think he has given the perfect answer to those who have doubted him.”

Grayson says he has told many in recent weeks that he expected Cook to be England’s top run scorer in the series, and joked he is just disappointed he had not put a bet on him prior to his incredible showing at the Gabba.

And he says he fully expects Cook to continue to be a thorn in the Australian’s side for the rest of the season.

He said: “I think the England dressing room would have felt like they had a victory rather than a draw, and the Aussies probably felt a bit deflated.

“And momentum is a big thing in sport, and I am sure we will take that into Adelaide on Thursday.”