766 and All That - When Cook Conquered Down Under
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 from an English player in Australian conditions is only bettered by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the Three Lions crucial confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England since 1986
Men wearing three lions have frequently been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale delivered by an exceptional player
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match during that famous series paving England's path toward their sole series victory down under over nearly four decades
Historic Achievement
It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs
Wally Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
England won 3-1, with all victories through innings victories
The team hasn't secured a Test here since that memorable series
Looking Back
"One tends to forget the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match came through innings wins"
Path to Success
The path to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier at the end of that year's Ashes in England
England won, Cook averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance above 50
He desired better
"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he notes
Game Improvement
Shortly after the triumphant events, he returned practicing numerous bowls during training with Graham Gooch
The initial results showed promise
He scored three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
When Cook returned to England during the 2010 season, the left-hander had a "stinker"
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29
Without runs at the end of the second day's play in the third match facing Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain it might be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission
"There I was in the bar, trying to find the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits
Decisive Instance
His century secured his place for the Australian tour
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches down under
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they faced three wickets from Siddle
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore
"I cannot recall the messages, our conversations," Cook remembers
The left-handers added 188 in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years
Series Dominance
The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session of the second Test at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics with 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket down under
In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," says Cook
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia
The question was not whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career were illuminated by additional achievements
After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|