766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's 766 runs from an English player during an Ashes series ranks second only to Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the English team badly required hope for the Ashes
After defeat by Australia at the series start, the tourists need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have frequently been easy prey at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero
This marks a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, preserving the initial Test during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades
Historic Achievement
It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries totaling 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil
England won 3-1, where each success through innings victories
England hasn't achieved a Test here since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"One tends to forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia where each victory was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road to his Australian epic started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes on home soil
Despite English victory, the opening batsman had an average below 25 with just one score over fifty
He desired better
"Cricket is a team game, the individuality creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he explains
Technical Transformation
Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back facing countless bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch
Beginning performances proved positive
He scored three hundred-run innings during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Crucial Turning Points
Upon his return to England during the 2010 season, the batsman performed poorly
In eight innings facing these opponents, his highest score reached only 29
On nought not out at the end of the second day during the final Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed this would be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer through drinking," he admits
The Turning Point
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
Just before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs together
Cook's 235 not out was the highest score achieved by a Briton down under since the 1930s
Series Dominance
England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test in Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Brisbane success with 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
Series Conclusion
England could have retained the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total during Australian Tests
The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Historical Significance
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years in his international career were illuminated by other milestones
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|