Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's 766 runs by an Englishman in Australian conditions was only surpassed by cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team crucial confidence in the series
Following the loss to the Australian side at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player
Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path toward their sole series victory down under over nearly four decades
Unforgettable Series
This marked the start of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds totaling 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs during a Test series down under
England won 3-1, with all victories through innings victories
The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"You forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"
Path to Success
Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes in the UK
England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century
He wanted more
"Cricket is a team game, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he states
Game Improvement
Two days after the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch
The initial results showed promise
The batsman achieved three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
Upon his return to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29
Without runs at the end of the second day's play of the third Test against Pakistan in London, Cook believed he was playing his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"I found myself in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits
The Turning Point
The 110-run innings ensured his position for the Australian tour
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests in Australia
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Just before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and proceeded with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore
"I cannot recall the messages, our discussions," says Cook
The left-handers contributed 188 in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance from an English player down under for 82 years
Series Dominance
England exploited an incredible start in the second match in South Australia
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement with 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack
Series Conclusion
England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later
What followed was arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook was at it again in Sydney
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The question was not if victory would come the game and series, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, it represented an instant of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
Cook was player of the series
The remaining seven years in his international career included additional achievements
Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|