766 and All That - When Cook Conquered the Australian Team
The legendary 766 runs scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour is only bettered by Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a location providing the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to the hosts at the series start, the tourists need to regroup ahead of visiting the Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
English cricketers have frequently been easy prey in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration delivered by a shining knight
It is exactly a decade and a half after Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph down under over nearly four decades
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs
The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
England won 3-1, with every win through innings victories
England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that historic campaign
Cook's Memories
"You forget the tough times, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia where each victory came through innings wins"
Path to Success
Cook's road to down under success commenced well before following that year's Ashes in England
Despite English victory, the opener had an average below 25 managing only one innings over fifty
He wanted more
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance creates the sensation that you must contribute adequately," he explains
Technical Transformation
Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch
Beginning performances showed promise
Cook made three centuries on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
When Cook returned to British conditions for that year's summer, the batsman struggled significantly
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his best performance totaled just 29 runs
Scoreless overnight after the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain he was playing his concluding international appearance prior to selection
"I found myself in the bar, attempting to discover the answer through drinking," he confesses
Decisive Instance
His century secured his place in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, the opening pair started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and proceeded through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook
The left-handers added 188 in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score from an English player on Australian soil in eight decades
Series Dominance
England capitalised on a remarkable opening session during the following Test in South Australia
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and never recovered
He continued his Queensland achievement with 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," recalls Cook
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The question was not if victory would come the game and series, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to win the match, that was a time of absolute joy"
Historical Significance
The batsman received top accolades
The remaining seven years of his cricket journey featured other milestones
Following his international retirement, he was honored for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|