766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's 766 runs scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a location providing the Three Lions crucial hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to the Australian side in the first Test, the visiting team need to regroup ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986
Players representing England have often become easy prey in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale achieved by a cricket hero
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory on Australian soil during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs
Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign in this country
England won 3-1, with all victories through innings victories
They have not won a Test victory there since that historic campaign
Looking Back
"You forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects
"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England won 3-1 down under and all three games came through innings wins"
Path to Success
Cook's road to down under success began 18 months earlier after that year's Ashes in England
England won, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, personal performance does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he states
Technical Transformation
Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes proved positive
He scored three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
Upon his return to home soil for the 2010 summer, the batsman had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his highest score reached only 29
Scoreless overnight after day two during the final Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed he was playing his final Test performance before being dropped
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, trying to find the solution through drinking," he confesses
The Turning Point
The 110-run innings ensured his position in the squad down under
England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under
When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Historic Partnership
An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded then continued with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I don't remember specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score from an English player on Australian soil since the 1930s
Complete Control
The English took advantage of an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters
Then came possibly England's finest day in Ashes history on Australian soil
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. There was disbelief at the end of the day," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the SCG
The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the game and series, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to win the match, it represented an instant of complete happiness"
Legacy and Recognition
The batsman received top accolades
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by additional achievements
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|