Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Australia
The legendary impressive 766 scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a city to give the English team badly required hope for the Ashes
After defeat by the hosts at the series start, England have to bounce back before heading to the famous Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for over thirty years
Players representing England have frequently been outmatched opponents at this challenging venue
A Shining Knight's Triumph
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero
This marks a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test of 2010-11 paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades
Historic Achievement
It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs
Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs during a Test series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories
They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series
Cook's Memories
"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 down under with every match was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
The path to his Australian epic commenced well before at the end of the 2009 Ashes on home soil
Despite English victory, the opener averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance above 50
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he notes
Skill Development
Two days after the victory celebrations, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance
The initial results were encouraging
Cook made three hundreds during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
Upon his return to home soil during the 2010 season, the left-hander performed poorly
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his best performance reached only 29
Scoreless overnight after the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed this would be his concluding international appearance before being dropped
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, trying to find the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses
Decisive Instance
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches in Australia
As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before day three's conclusion, the opening pair started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I don't remember the messages, our conversations," recalls Cook
The left-handers added 188 together
The 235 without dismissal was the highest score by an Englishman down under for 82 years
Complete Control
The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session in the second match in South Australia
After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover
He continued his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later
Then came possibly England's finest day in Ashes history in Australia
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief at the end of the day," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia
The debate didn't concern if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, it was a moment of absolute joy"
Enduring Impact
The batsman received top accolades
The following seven seasons in his international career included additional achievements
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|