Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under
Alastair Cook's impressive 766 by an Englishman on an Ashes tour ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions badly required hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to the hosts in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back before heading to the Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Players representing England have habitually been easy prey at this challenging venue
The Inspirational Achievement
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale achieved by a cricket hero
Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win in Australia over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs during a Test series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins
The team hasn't secured a Test here since those glory days
Looking Back
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook remembers
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a series when England triumphed 3-1 down under with every match was achieved comprehensively"
Path to Success
His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier following the 2009 Ashes on home soil
Despite English victory, Cook had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty
He wanted more
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains
Skill Development
Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back facing countless deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance
Early outcomes showed promise
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, the batsman struggled significantly
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29
Scoreless overnight following the second day's play during the final Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced this would be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission
"There I was at the bar, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he confesses
Decisive Instance
Cook's 110 secured his place in the squad down under
Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests in Australia
When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
Just before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
Cook's 235 not out represented the top score by an Englishman down under in eight decades
Total Command
England exploited an astonishing first morning during the following Test at Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later
What followed was arguably England's best performance in Ashes history down under
At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian sport, on the holiday, the home side collapsed to 98 all out
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," says Cook
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their best score on Australian soil
The debate didn't concern if England would win the game and series, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, it was a moment of pure elation"
Historical Significance
The batsman received top accolades
The remaining seven years in his international career were illuminated by further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|