Ashes win is a career pinnacle, says Gooch

He said: "It's still the series everyone wants to win. I played in three Ashes winning series for England and it's a very special feeling to be part of a winning team.

"Every contest is special but for England players beating Australia means the most and the guys who won will remember the feeling for the rest of their lives.

"England have done very well to win this series, playing Australia is always a hard school, and I hope it will inspire more children to take up the game as it did four years ago."

Gooch, 56, who was in winning sides against the old enemy in 1978/79, 1981 and 1985, still keeps involved with cricket as a coach and commentator. He also tries to keep his fitness levels, which helped him carry on playing at the top level for Essex until he was 44.

He's taking part in the Great Capital Run in Regent's Park on September 13, when he will lead an England team against Australian and Rest of the World teams.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to it. I've done four marathons and the Great North Run, although I've not had time to do so much running in recent years. But it's nice there's a competitive element to this run, although the pressure will be on after England's Ashes win."

The Great Capital Run will see Gooch cross swords once more with former Austrialian fast bowler Jeff Thomson. Gooch has a long history against "Tommo", one of the most fearsome pacemen of any era who regularly terrorised the world's best batsmen, along with Dennis Lillee, during his 1970s heyday.

"He got me out in my second Test innings back in 1975," recalled Gooch. "It was my first Test and meant I got a pair on my debut. It was a bit of a traumatic start but at least I'm one of the few players to have their first two Test scores in their name.

"It's great that Thommo's involved, although he won't be running because his knees aren't up to it. I've seen a bit of him this summer because he's been over here for the Ashes and I'm sure he'll be willing his fellow Australians on in Regent's Park."

Despite his inauspicious start, which saw him omitted for three years, Gooch went on to amass 8,900 runs in 118 Tests, putting him at the top of England's all-time scoring list.

He's backing two current Essex players, Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara, to make up for their disappointing Ashes performances.

He said: "They've both had mixed fortunes. Alastair had a good knock at Lord's but didn't get a century, while Ravi was left out of the last Test after a poor run of form.

"But they are very talented young players with big futures for England. They will be around for a long time to come.

"Ravi proved he was back in form with a double century for Essex and he'll be in the England side for the one-day series against Australia. It just didn't happen for him in the Ashes.

"I'd be very surprised if they both weren't in the squad for the winter tour to South Africa."

Graham Gooch is taking part in the BUPA Great Capital Run in Regent's Park on September 13. For details visit greatrun.org.