The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Australia
Sir Alastair's 766 runs scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour ranks second only to Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a city to give England crucial confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to the hosts during the opening match, the tourists need to regroup for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
English cricketers have habitually been easy prey at this challenging venue
A Shining Knight's Success
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale achieved by a shining knight
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil in the past 38 years
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of his successful Australian campaign; three centuries accumulating 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals during a Test series on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, where each success by an innings
They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series
Looking Back
"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"
Path to Success
Cook's road to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier after the 2009 Ashes on home soil
Despite English victory, the opening batsman had an average below 25 with just one score exceeding half-century
He desired better
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he states
Skill Development
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back facing countless bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch
Early outcomes showed promise
He scored three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
Upon his return to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29
Without runs following the second day during the final Test versus Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced it might be his last Test innings before being dropped
"I was sitting in the bar, attempting to discover the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches down under
Come the first Test at the Gabba, they faced three wickets from Siddle
Memorable Collaboration
Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and followed up through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory
"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," Cook remembers
Both left-handed batsmen added 188 in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia for 82 years
Series Dominance
England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test in Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
Then came possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition down under
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side collapsed to 98 all out
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the SCG
His 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"
Enduring Impact
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years of his Test career included other milestones
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|