I've never been a pretty cricketer - Stephen Cook

If relief had a face, it would be that of Stephen Cook. The South Africa opener scored the second hundred of his six-Test career - which sounds pretty decent if you think about it - under immense pressure, as he sought to prove his worth in Australia. He can leave knowing that he succeeded.

Cook was the last man out in South Africa's second innings in Adelaide, as he made 104 out of a total of 250, having batted for over six hours. He helped South Africa set a target of 127, which Australia chased down with seven wickets to spare.

"I've had a tough time the last couple of weeks, that's plain and obvious to say," Cook said after the day-night Test ended. "Before the series I knew things were going to be tough. I knew the Aussies had a good bowling line-up. And I got tested. By hook or by crook, I suppose - by hook or by Cook- I managed to come through."

With scores of 0, 12, 23, 11 and 40 in the previous five innings on the tour, and growing uncertainty with his footwork, Cook faced severe criticism over his technique. He spent some sessions with long-time team-mate and current South Africa batting coach Neil McKenzie working on his trigger movement but admitted he never intended to change his entire approach, especially it had served him so well for the best part of the previous decade and a half.

"It wasn't a pretty show but I've never been a pretty cricketer," Cook said. "I know it's not classical. I know it's a little bit ugly. I know I crab across the crease. I've heard many descriptions of it. Unfortunately, this technique is the one I've got and the one I've used for a long time. It's gotten me so far - yes, I'll do little tweaks and try and make amendments - and by and large I stick with what I've got and try make it work for me.

"I don't think I'm ever going to jump onto the front foot like Ricky Ponting or move in and behind the ball like some other players. For me it's about getting my game plan going and keeping my disciplines going."

Cook's patience was the hallmark of his hundred, as he defended tirelessly and refused to be dislodged. He knew that the longer he hung on, the better the chance he had to make an impression on the toughest stage he has played on to date. "I knew Australia is a place you can be made or broken. I'm leaving with people perhaps being able to see that I can bat better than I have these last few weeks."

The fight for runs was particularly tough against Mitchell Starc, who dismissed Cook in four out five innings in the series. "It was difficult with angles. You don't get many left-armers who bowl 150 kph, so he had my number," Cook said. "That was the battle - to get away from him and score enough runs at the other end."

Cook attributed his turnaround to experience and the strong support he received from team-mates and family.

"There have been a lot of times in my career where I've gone on streaks longer than this without scoring runs. The nice thing is that I never felt like I was playing that badly. I never felt like I wasn't picking up the ball or that I've got no chance. I felt things turned around for me on this tour on a personal level [when my family arrived]. My family doesn't care whether I've scored nought or a hundred. My little daughter looks at me the same way today as she looked at me three weeks ago. It shows you what's really important."

The morning before the Adelaide Test, Cook, his wife Laura and young daughter Elianna were strolling around the Torrens river. He even took the time to cheer on some jogging journalists. At no point on the tour did Cook seem weighed down by his difficulties. "In the end, it's just a game of cricket."