The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under

Alastair Cook batting

Alastair Cook's record-breaking 766 from an English player on an Ashes tour ranks second only to cricket legend Wally Hammond

Lead Cricket Journalist in Brisbane

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The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the English team badly required hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to the Australian side at the series start, England need to regroup before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986

Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Success

Within recent memory of English disappointments, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale provided by a cricket hero

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 paving England's path toward their sole series victory in Australia during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It commenced of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs in a series on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved a Test here since that memorable series

Looking Back

"You forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"

Path to Success

The path to down under success started a year and a half before after the 2009 series in England

Despite English victory, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance above 50

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states

Skill Development

Two days after the celebrations, he returned facing countless bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance

Early outcomes proved positive

He scored three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

When Cook returned to England during the 2010 season, the left-hander performed poorly

Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings was 29

Scoreless overnight following day two during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

Critical Moment

Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they faced three wickets from Siddle

Memorable Collaboration

Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, both batsmen began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and proceeded through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall specific guidance, our discussions," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen added 188 in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia for 82 years

Complete Control

The English took advantage of an incredible start during the following Test at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters

What followed was arguably England's best performance in Ashes history down under

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief as the day ended," says Cook

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph both match and urn, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to claim triumph, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years of his Test career included additional achievements

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|

William Powell
William Powell

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