Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under
The legendary 766 runs by an Englishman during an Ashes series ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions crucial hope for the Ashes
In the wake of losing to the Australian side in the first Test, the visiting team need to regroup for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
English cricketers have habitually been easy prey at this challenging venue
The Inspirational Achievement
Among a recent history of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player
Today commemorates 15 years since Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory on Australian soil during recent memory
Historic Achievement
It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs
Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs during a Test series in this country
England won 3-1, where each success through innings victories
They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series
Looking Back
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects
"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings"
The Road to Greatness
His journey to his Australian epic started a year and a half before following the 2009 series in England
England won, Cook scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century
He desired better
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states
Skill Development
Two days after the triumphant events, he was back at work practicing numerous bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance
Early outcomes were encouraging
The batsman achieved three hundreds 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, the left-hander performed poorly
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29
Scoreless overnight at the end of day two of the third Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced he was playing his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"I found myself at the bar, seeking the solution through drinking," he reveals
The Turning Point
His century secured his place on the plane to Australia
England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests down under
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall the messages, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers
The opening pair added 188 in their partnership
Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years
Total Command
The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning of the second Test in Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
Cook followed up his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
Ultimate Victory
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," Cook remembers
Series Conclusion
Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG
His 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The question was not whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey featured additional achievements
After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|