The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under
Alastair Cook's impressive 766 by an Englishman during an Ashes series is only bettered by Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes
After defeat by Australia in the first Test, England have to bounce back before heading to the famous Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years
Players representing England have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story delivered by a cricket hero
Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series paving England's path toward their sole series victory on Australian soil over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs during a Test series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success through innings victories
England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that historic campaign
Cook's Memories
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects
"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when England triumphed 3-1 down under where each victory came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after the 2009 Ashes on home soil
Despite English victory, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty
He wanted more
"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states
Game Improvement
Shortly after the celebrations, he was back facing countless of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
Beginning performances showed promise
He scored three hundred-run innings during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, Cook struggled significantly
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29
Without runs at the end of the second day in the third match versus Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"There I was in the hospitality area, seeking the resolution by drowning sorrows," he reveals
Critical Moment
The 110-run innings secured his place for the Australian tour
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games on Australian soil
Come the first Test at the Gabba, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle
Historic Partnership
Just before the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our discussions," Cook remembers
The opening pair added 188 together
His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance by an Englishman on Australian soil in eight decades
Total Command
The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning in the second match in Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover
Cook followed up his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack
Ultimate Victory
England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
Then came arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," Cook remembers
Ultimate Success
Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the game and series, but when
"The environment was electric," Cook remembers
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, it was a moment of pure elation"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years of his Test career were illuminated by other milestones
After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|