The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's 766 runs by an Englishman in Australian conditions was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the English team some much-needed Ashes optimism
Following the loss to the Australian side in the first Test, England need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Players representing England have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane
The Inspirational Triumph
Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story achieved by a shining knight
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, saving the first Test of 2010-11 paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph down under in the past 38 years
Historic Achievement
It commenced of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs
The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals during a Test series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins
They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers
"I look back with pride. I played a significant part during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory down under and all three games were won by an innings"
Journey to Excellence
Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series on home soil
Though England triumphed, Cook averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century
He wanted more
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he notes
Skill Development
Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he returned practicing numerous deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
The initial results proved positive
Cook made three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Pivotal Instances
After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, the left-hander struggled significantly
Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29
Without runs at the end of the second day's play during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance before being dropped
"I found myself in the bar, trying to find the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits
Critical Moment
His century ensured his position for the Australian tour
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests in Australia
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
Shortly prior to the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and followed up with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall the messages, our discussions," recalls Cook
Both left-handed batsmen added 188 in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player in Australia in eight decades
Total Command
England capitalised on an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling
Ultimate Victory
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later
Then came arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the home side were blown away for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook
Ultimate Success
Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of absolute joy"
Enduring Impact
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years of his Test career were illuminated by further accomplishments
Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|