766 and All That - When Cook Conquered Down Under
Alastair Cook's 766 runs from an English player in Australian conditions ranks second only to cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team badly required Ashes optimism
Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, England have to bounce back for a trip to the Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for decades
English cricketers have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale achieved by an exceptional player
This marks 15 years since Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory in Australia during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
This marked the start of the victorious 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 down under
England won 3-1, where each success through innings victories
They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign
Personal Reflections
"People overlook the difficult moments, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 down under where each victory were won by an innings"
Path to Success
Cook's road to his Australian epic started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes in England
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 with just one score above 50
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he notes
Technical Transformation
Two days after the triumphant events, he was back at work facing countless bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch
Beginning performances showed promise
Cook made three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to England for the 2010 summer, the batsman had a "stinker"
During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29
Scoreless overnight after the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his last Test innings ahead of potential omission
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the resolution by drowning sorrows," he reveals
Decisive Instance
His century secured his place for the Australian tour
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they faced three wickets from Siddle
Memorable Collaboration
An hour before the third day's close, both batsmen started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall specific guidance, our discussions," recalls Cook
The left-handers contributed 188 together
Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton down under in eight decades
Complete Control
The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
He continued his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
What followed was arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," Cook remembers
Series Conclusion
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total on Australian soil
The question was not if victory would come both match and urn, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years in his international career included further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|