Alastair Cook emerged from the ''hell'' of the Ashes to complete the fifth and most emotional century so far in his short Test career.

Cook, 22, confirmed his liking for Lord's with an unbeaten 102 out of England's 200 for three on a truncated first day of their four-Test series against West Indies.

He made his feelings known to a sell-out 28,000 crowed by leaping off his feet and twice punching the air - and afterwards he tried to explain why his innings meant so much.

Cook's absence from the England team during the World Cup and his presence during the 5-0 loss to Australia last winter were the main reasons.

''What happened there I wouldn't wish on anyone's worst enemy,'' he said, casting his mind back reluctantly to England's Ashes whitewash.

''Those feelings in certain games, it is still hard to bring it up - a lot of people went through hell on that tour.

''Now we're through that, and you have to look at it and learn from it - you can only look forward from something like that.''

Cook shared an opening stand of 88 with stand-in captain Andrew Strauss and then kept his composure in a 162-ball hundred, after Daren Powell had taken two quick wickets in early afternoon.

''I felt very emotional when I got the hundred,'' he said.

''It has been a while, January 6, since I've been involved (with England), and that's probably why. I've been watching on TV and wanting to be a part of it, so maybe that's why it meant so much today.''

Cook also felt the pressure of needing to perform in front of new coach Peter Moores, to try to cement his place at the top of the order.