766 and All That - When Cook Conquered the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's impressive 766 by an Englishman on an Ashes tour is only bettered by Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a city to give England badly required confidence in the series
After defeat by the Australian side at the series start, England must stir themselves ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades
Players representing England have often become outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story delivered by a cricket hero
This marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil during recent memory
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
England won 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins
They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"You forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook remembers
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"
Journey to Excellence
His journey to his Australian epic started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 series in England
Despite English victory, the opener had an average below 25 managing only one innings over fifty
He wanted more
"Cricket is a team game, personal performance generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states
Technical Transformation
Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back at work facing countless deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch
The initial results were encouraging
Cook made three hundred-run innings during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, the batsman performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his highest score reached only 29
Without runs at the end of the second day during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed this would be his final Test performance prior to selection
"There I was in the hospitality area, trying to find the resolution by drowning sorrows," he confesses
The Turning Point
The 110-run innings secured his place on the plane to Australia
Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one in practice matches in Australia
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Just before the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I don't remember any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers
Both left-handed batsmen added 188 in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal represented the top score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil in eight decades
Complete Control
England exploited an astonishing first morning during the following Test in Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover
Cook followed up his Brisbane success with 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
Then came possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," recalls Cook
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come both match and urn, but the timing
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got the last player to secure victory, that was a time of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey featured additional achievements
Following his international retirement, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|