Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered the Australian Team
The legendary 766 runs from an English player in Australian conditions ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing England crucial Ashes optimism
Following the loss to the hosts in the first Test, England need to regroup for a trip to the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
Players representing England have habitually been outmatched opponents at this challenging venue
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration provided by an exceptional player
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win in Australia over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals during a Test series on Australian soil
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success through innings victories
They have not won a Test here since that historic campaign
Personal Reflections
"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"I look back with pride. I made an important impact during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 down under where each victory was achieved comprehensively"
Journey to Excellence
Cook's road to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after that year's Ashes on home soil
Despite English victory, Cook averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he explains
Technical Transformation
Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes proved positive
Cook made three hundreds during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29
Scoreless overnight following the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed it might be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission
"I found myself at the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits
Decisive Instance
His century secured his place on the plane to Australia
England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests down under
When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
An hour before the third day's close, both batsmen started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss at stumps then continued with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," says Cook
Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 for the first wicket
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score by an Englishman down under for 82 years
Total Command
The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
What followed was arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings during Australian Tests
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to win the match, it represented an instant of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
Cook was player of the series
The following seven seasons in his international career included further accomplishments
Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|