The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under
Alastair Cook's record-breaking 766 from an English player on an Ashes tour ranks second only to cricket legend Wally Hammond
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|