766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of Australia
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 from an English player in Australian conditions was only surpassed by cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England some much-needed confidence in the series
After defeat by Australia in the first Test, the visiting team must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
English cricketers have frequently been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by an exceptional player
Today commemorates 15 years since the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win in Australia in the past 38 years
Unforgettable Series
It commenced of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs during a Test series down under
Victory came 3-1, where each success by an innings
They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign
Personal Reflections
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part during a campaign where England won 3-1 in Australia and all three games came through innings wins"
Path to Success
His journey toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier following the 2009 series in the UK
Despite English victory, Cook scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he notes
Technical Transformation
Two days after the triumphant events, he returned practicing numerous deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes were encouraging
He scored three hundreds on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
Upon his return to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook struggled significantly
In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs
Scoreless overnight after the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed he was playing his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"There I was in the bar, seeking the resolution through drinking," he confesses
Critical Moment
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under
As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Historic Partnership
An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The left-handers contributed 188 for the first wicket
Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia for 82 years
Total Command
England exploited an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia
When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Brisbane success with 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over 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 arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the massive stadium of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia
The debate didn't concern if England would win the game and series, but the timing
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to claim triumph, that was a time of complete happiness"
Historical Significance
The batsman received top accolades
The subsequent seven years of his Test career included additional achievements
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|