766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in Down Under
The legendary 766 runs by an Englishman on an Ashes tour is only bettered by Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the Three Lions badly required hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, England must stir themselves for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986
Men wearing three lions have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Success
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by a shining knight
This marks 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course toward their sole series victory on Australian soil during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs
Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs in a series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories
The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign
Cook's Memories
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia with every match were won by an innings"
The Road to Greatness
His journey to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier after the 2009 Ashes on home soil
England won, Cook averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century
He desired better
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he notes
Game Improvement
Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training with Graham Gooch
The initial results proved positive
The batsman achieved three hundreds on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to England during the 2010 season, Cook struggled significantly
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings was 29
On nought not out at the end of the second day's play during the final Test against Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings ahead of potential omission
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the solution through drinking," he confesses
Critical Moment
His century ensured his position in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games in Australia
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I don't remember any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs together
Cook's 235 not out was the highest score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years
Series Dominance
The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session of the second Test in Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
He continued his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling
The Final Triumph
England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later
Then came possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil
At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the SCG
His 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total on Australian soil
The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
The batsman received top accolades
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by further accomplishments
Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|