The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Australia
The legendary impressive 766 by an Englishman in Australian conditions was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the English team crucial Ashes optimism
In the wake of losing to the hosts at the series start, England must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for over thirty years
Players representing England have frequently been easy prey at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Success
Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by a shining knight
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory on Australian soil during recent memory
Unforgettable Series
It commenced of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs
Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs in a series on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, where each success by an innings
The team hasn't secured a Test here since those glory days
Personal Reflections
"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under where each victory came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
His journey to down under success started a year and a half before after the 2009 series in the UK
Despite English victory, Cook averaged less than 25 managing only one innings over fifty
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back at work facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes showed promise
The batsman achieved three hundreds during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
Upon his return to British conditions for the 2010 summer, the left-hander struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29
On nought not out at the end of the second day during the final Test against Pakistan in London, Cook believed this would be his final Test performance prior to selection
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses
Decisive Instance
Cook's 110 ensured his position for the Australian tour
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests on Australian soil
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
An hour before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall the messages, our discussions," Cook remembers
The left-handers added 188 for the first wicket
The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance by an Englishman down under for 82 years
Complete Control
England capitalised on an incredible start in the second match in South Australia
After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics with 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
What followed was arguably England's best performance in Ashes history in Australia
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," recalls Cook
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia
The question was not whether England would triumph the game and series, but the timing
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Legacy and Recognition
Cook was player of the series
The following seven seasons of his cricket journey included additional achievements
Following his international retirement, he was honored for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|