Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Australia
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 from an English player during an Ashes series was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a place that offers England badly required confidence in the series
Following the loss to the hosts at the series start, the visiting team have to bounce back for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have often become outmatched opponents at this challenging venue
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story achieved by an exceptional player
This marks a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test 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 was the beginning of his successful tour of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs
The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series down under
Victory came 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins
They have not won success at this venue since those glory days
Looking Back
"People overlook the difficult moments, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part during a campaign where England won 3-1 down under and all three games came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
The path to down under success began 18 months earlier after the 2009 Ashes on home soil
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance above 50
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he notes
Technical Transformation
Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he returned facing countless deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch
Early outcomes proved positive
Cook made three centuries during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
Upon his return to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman had a "stinker"
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out at the end of day two of the third Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced it might be his last Test innings prior to selection
"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses
The Turning Point
His century guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they encountered three wickets from Siddle
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to the end of the third day, the opening pair started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end then continued with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I don't remember any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s
Total Command
England exploited an incredible start during the following Test in South Australia
After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover
The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers
Ultimate Victory
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
Then came arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket in Australia
In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," recalls Cook
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney
His 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The question was not if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to secure victory, it was a moment of absolute joy"
Enduring Impact
The batsman received top accolades
The subsequent seven years of his Test career included other milestones
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|
