Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under
The legendary impressive 766 by an Englishman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England badly required hope for the Ashes
After defeat by Australia at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades
Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale achieved by a cricket hero
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory down under over nearly four decades
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs
The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories by an innings
The team hasn't secured a Test here since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"People overlook the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook remembers
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
His journey to down under success started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes in England
Despite English victory, the opening batsman had an average below 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he explains
Game Improvement
Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance
The initial results proved positive
The batsman achieved three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Crucial Turning Points
After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, the batsman performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29
On nought not out after the second day in the third match against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"There I was in the bar, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he reveals
The Turning Point
Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games down under
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our conversations," says Cook
Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance by an Englishman on Australian soil for 82 years
Complete Control
The English took advantage of an incredible start during the following Test at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout
He continued his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters
Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," Cook remembers
Ultimate Success
Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG
His 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score in a Test in Australia
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The environment was electric," Cook remembers
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to claim triumph, it represented an instant of absolute joy"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons of his Test career were illuminated by additional achievements
Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|
