766 and All That - When Cook Conquered Australia

Ashes cricket

The legendary impressive 766 scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour is only bettered by the great Wally Hammond

Senior Cricket Correspondent in Brisbane

Released 45 minutes ago

Brisbane is not a place that offers the English team crucial confidence in the series

After defeat by the hosts at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades

Players representing England have often become outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

Cook's Memorable Achievement

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration provided by a shining knight

Today commemorates 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It commenced of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil

England won 3-1, where each success through innings victories

The team hasn't secured a Test here since that memorable series

Personal Reflections

"You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes in the UK

England won, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He desired better

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he returned facing countless bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances showed promise

He scored three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to home soil for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

On nought not out following the second day during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain it might be his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution by drowning sorrows," he confesses

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 ensured his position on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests in Australia

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to the third day's close, both batsmen started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook

The opening pair added 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years

Series Dominance

England exploited a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief as the day ended," recalls Cook

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the SCG

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his Test career were illuminated by further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|

Chelsea Ortega
Chelsea Ortega

Award-winning film critic with over a decade of experience covering international cinema and festival circuits.