Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by cricket legend 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 at the series start, England have to bounce back before heading to the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
The Inspirational Triumph
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero
This marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia during recent memory
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success through innings victories
England hasn't achieved a Test here since those glory days
Personal Reflections
"You forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook remembers
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 down under and all three games was achieved comprehensively"
Path to Success
The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes on home soil
Despite English victory, Cook averaged less than 25 managing only one innings over fifty
He wanted more
"Cricket is a team game, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he notes
Skill Development
Two days after the celebrations, he was back facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
Beginning performances proved positive
Cook made three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Pivotal Instances
Upon his return to England for that year's summer, the left-hander performed poorly
In eight innings facing these opponents, his best performance totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out following day two during the final Test against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance prior to selection
"I found myself in the bar, trying to find the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 ensured his position for the Australian tour
England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests down under
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I don't remember the messages, our discussions," recalls Cook
The opening pair accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton in Australia for 82 years
Complete Control
England capitalised on an incredible start in the second match in South Australia
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Brisbane success with 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
Ultimate Victory
England could have retained the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters
What followed was arguably England's best performance in Ashes history on Australian soil
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the Australian team were blown away for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," recalls Cook
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia
The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the game and series, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"
Legacy and Recognition
The batsman received top accolades
The remaining seven years of his cricket journey featured other milestones
After retiring internationally, he was honored for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|