Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of the Australian Team
The legendary impressive 766 by an Englishman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a location providing the Three Lions crucial hope for the Ashes
After defeat by the Australian side at the series start, England have to bounce back ahead of visiting the Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986
Players representing England have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
The Inspirational Success
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration delivered by an exceptional player
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course toward their sole series victory in Australia during recent memory
Unforgettable Series
This marked the start of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs
The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals throughout a campaign on Australian soil
The English triumphed 3-1, with every win by an innings
England hasn't achieved a Test here since that memorable series
Looking Back
"People overlook the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under and all three games were won by an innings"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes in the UK
Though England triumphed, the opener had an average below 25 with just one score over fifty
He desired better
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he notes
Skill Development
Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back at work facing countless of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
Early outcomes proved positive
He scored three hundred-run innings during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Pivotal Instances
After coming back to home soil for the 2010 summer, the batsman struggled significantly
Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29
Without runs following day two of the third Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"There I was at the bar, seeking the solution through drinking," he reveals
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat in the squad down under
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests in Australia
As the opening match began at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
An hour before the third day's close, both batsmen opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook
The opening pair accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score from an English player down under for 82 years
Complete Control
England capitalised on an astonishing first morning in the second match in South Australia
After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
He continued his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
Ultimate Victory
The English might have secured the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket down under
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out
"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," says Cook
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG
His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total during Australian Tests
The question was not if England would win the game and series, but the timing
"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
Cook was player of the series
The following seven seasons in his international career were illuminated by other milestones
After retiring internationally, he was honored for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|