766 and All That - When Cook Conquered the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's 766 runs from an English player during an Ashes series was only surpassed by cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give England crucial confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, England have to bounce back before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years
English cricketers have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane
A Shining Knight's Triumph
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player
Today commemorates 15 years since the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark unbeaten 235, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory on Australian soil over nearly four decades
Historic Achievement
It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign down under
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success by an innings
The team hasn't secured a Test here since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil where each victory was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier following the 2009 Ashes in the UK
England won, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings above 50
He wanted more
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he explains
Skill Development
Two days after the celebrations, he returned facing countless bowls during training with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes proved positive
Cook made three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours to 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 top innings totaled just 29 runs
Without runs following the second day during the final Test versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain he was playing his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"There I was at the bar, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he admits
Decisive Instance
The 110-run innings secured his place for the Australian tour
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they encountered three wickets from Siddle
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to the end of the third day, the opening pair started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs together
Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia in eight decades
Total Command
England capitalised on an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the urn in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters
Then came perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history on Australian soil
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. There was disbelief when play concluded," recalls Cook
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia
The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, that was a time of absolute joy"
Historical Significance
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years of his Test career were illuminated by further accomplishments
Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|