The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Australia
Alastair Cook's 766 runs by an Englishman during an Ashes series ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a location providing England crucial confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to the hosts at the series start, the visiting team need to regroup ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986
Players representing England have frequently been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
The Inspirational Triumph
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player
Today commemorates 15 years since the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil in the past 38 years
Historic Achievement
This marked the start of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs in a series down under
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success by an innings
The team hasn't secured a Test here since those glory days
Personal Reflections
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 in Australia and all three games was achieved comprehensively"
Path to Success
His journey toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier following the 2009 Ashes on home soil
Despite English victory, the opener averaged less than 25 with just one score over fifty
He wanted more
"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains
Skill Development
Shortly after the triumphant events, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance
Early outcomes proved positive
The batsman achieved three hundreds on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
When Cook returned to England for the 2010 summer, the batsman performed poorly
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his highest score was 29
On nought not out following day two of the third Test against Pakistan in London, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"I found myself at the bar, attempting to discover the resolution through drinking," he admits
Decisive Instance
The 110-run innings ensured his position for the Australian tour
The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under
When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before day three's conclusion, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall the messages, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs together
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years
Complete Control
The English took advantage of an incredible start during the following Test in Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Brisbane success by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later
The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance in Ashes history down under
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," says Cook
Ultimate Success
Driven by determination to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The question was not if victory would come both match and urn, but the timing
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to claim triumph, that was a time of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
The batsman received top accolades
The remaining seven years in his international career included further accomplishments
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|