The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered the Australian Team
Sir Alastair's 766 runs scored by an English batsman in Australian conditions is only bettered by the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers England badly required hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986
English cricketers have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane
The Inspirational Achievement
Among a recent history of English disappointments, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero
Today commemorates a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, saving the first Test during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals throughout a campaign down under
Victory came 3-1, where each success through innings victories
England hasn't achieved a Test here since that memorable series
Cook's Memories
"You forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings"
Path to Success
The path to his Australian epic commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in the UK
England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance above 50
He desired better
"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he states
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he returned facing countless deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance
The initial results showed promise
Cook made three hundreds on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
Upon his return to England during the 2010 season, the left-hander performed poorly
Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs
Without runs after the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed it might be his concluding international appearance before being dropped
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the solution by drowning sorrows," he confesses
Decisive Instance
Cook's 110 ensured his position in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests on Australian soil
As the opening match began in Brisbane, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to the third day's close, both batsmen started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and proceeded with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook
The left-handers contributed 188 together
Cook's 235 not out represented the top score from an English player in Australia for 82 years
Complete Control
The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session of the second Test in South Australia
Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance in Ashes history in Australia
At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief as the day ended," says Cook
The Final Victory
Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings during Australian Tests
The question was not if victory would come both match and urn, rather when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to win the match, it was a moment of absolute joy"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career featured other milestones
Following his international retirement, he was honored for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|