Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of Australia
Sir Alastair's 766 runs scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the English team some much-needed confidence in the series
After defeat by Australia at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years
English cricketers have frequently been easy prey at this challenging venue
Cook's Memorable Success
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero
This marks a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course toward their sole series victory down under over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, with every win through innings victories
They have not won success at this venue since those glory days
Looking Back
"People overlook the tough times, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil where each victory was achieved comprehensively"
Journey to Excellence
Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 Ashes in the UK
England won, Cook scored under 25 per innings with just one score exceeding half-century
He wanted more
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution creates the sensation that you must contribute adequately," he notes
Technical Transformation
Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back facing countless bowls during training with Graham Gooch
The initial results showed promise
He scored three hundreds 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 batsman struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his top innings was 29
On nought not out following the second day's play of the third Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed it might be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission
"I found myself in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution by drowning sorrows," he admits
Decisive Instance
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games down under
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Just before day three's conclusion, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 at stumps and followed up with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook
The left-handers contributed 188 together
The 235 without dismissal was the highest score from an English player in Australia since the 1930s
Series Dominance
England exploited a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
He continued his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket on Australian soil
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief when play concluded," says Cook
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The question was not if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to claim triumph, it was a moment of pure elation"
Enduring Impact
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years in his international career were illuminated by other milestones
Following his international retirement, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|