766 and All That - When Cook Conquered Down Under
The legendary 766 runs from an English player during an Ashes series ranks second only to cricket legend Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a location providing the English team badly required hope for the Ashes
After defeat by the hosts at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986
Players representing England have habitually been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
The Inspirational Success
Among a recent history of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player
It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course toward their sole series victory on Australian soil over nearly four decades
Unforgettable Series
This marked the start of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries totaling 766 runs
Wally Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series down under
Victory came 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins
The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign
Looking Back
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia with every match was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road to down under success commenced well before following that year's Ashes on home soil
Though England triumphed, the opener had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty
He wanted more
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he explains
Game Improvement
Shortly after the triumphant events, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance
Beginning performances were encouraging
He scored three centuries during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29
Scoreless overnight following the second day's play during the final Test versus Pakistan in London, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"I was sitting at the bar, attempting to discover the solution through drinking," he reveals
Decisive Instance
His century secured his place in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games in Australia
As the opening match began at the famous ground, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
An hour before the end of the third day, the opening pair began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers
Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score from an English player down under since the 1930s
Complete Control
The English took advantage of an incredible start of the second Test in Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
He continued his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack
Series Conclusion
England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the massive stadium of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia
The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Legacy and Recognition
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by other milestones
Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|