766 and All That - When Cook Conquered the Australian Team
Sir Alastair's 766 runs from an English player on an Ashes tour is only bettered by Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team crucial confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for decades
Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story provided by a shining knight
This marks the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph down under during recent memory
Historic Achievement
It was the beginning of his successful Australian campaign; three hundreds totaling 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs in a series on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, with all victories by an innings
They have not won a Test here since those glory days
Looking Back
"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook recalls
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match was achieved comprehensively"
Journey to Excellence
Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of that year's Ashes on home soil
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance above 50
He desired better
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he states
Game Improvement
Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance
Beginning performances showed promise
He scored three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Crucial Turning Points
Upon his return to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"
During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29
On nought not out following the second day in the third match versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced he was playing his last Test innings ahead of potential omission
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the answer through drinking," he admits
Decisive Instance
Cook's 110 ensured his position in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
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 when play concluded then continued with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory
"I don't remember the messages, our conversations," Cook remembers
The opening pair added 188 for the first wicket
His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance from an English player down under for 82 years
Total Command
England capitalised on a remarkable opening session of the second Test at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover
He continued his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
The English might have secured the urn in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief when play concluded," Cook remembers
Ultimate Success
Driven by determination to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total during Australian Tests
The question was not if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons of his cricket journey included additional achievements
Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|