Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's impressive 766 scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions crucial Ashes optimism
Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, England need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years
English cricketers have frequently been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Among a recent history of English disappointments, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story achieved by a cricket hero
This marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 paving England's path to their only Ashes series win in Australia during recent memory
Historic Achievement
It commenced of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs during a Test series in this country
England won 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins
England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since those glory days
Looking Back
"People overlook the tough times, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory down under where each victory came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before after the 2009 Ashes in England
England won, the opening batsman had an average below 25 managing only one innings above 50
He desired better
"Cricket is a team game, personal performance does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he explains
Game Improvement
Shortly after the triumphant events, he returned practicing numerous bowls during training with Graham Gooch
The initial results were encouraging
Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
Upon his return to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his best performance reached only 29
Without runs after day two of the third Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance before being dropped
"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the solution through drinking," he admits
The Turning Point
His century secured his place on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches down under
When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
Just before the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall the messages, our conversations," says Cook
The opening pair accumulated 188 runs together
Cook's 235 not out was the highest score from an English player down under for 82 years
Total Command
England exploited an astonishing first morning during the following Test at Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers
Ultimate Victory
England could have retained the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket on Australian soil
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of sports down under, on the holiday, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," says Cook
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their highest total on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come both match and urn, but when
"The environment was electric," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to claim triumph, that was a time of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
The batsman received top accolades
The subsequent seven years in his international career were illuminated by other milestones
Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|