766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of Australia
The legendary record-breaking 766 scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a city to give the Three Lions badly required hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to the hosts during the opening match, the tourists need to regroup ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have frequently been easy prey in Brisbane
The Inspirational Achievement
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 paving England's path toward their sole series victory in Australia during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
This marked the start of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals during a Test series down under
England won 3-1, where each success by an innings
They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign
Cook's Memories
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings"
Journey to Excellence
His journey toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in England
England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings above 50
He desired better
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality creates the sensation that you must contribute adequately," he states
Technical Transformation
Two days after the triumphant events, he returned practicing numerous deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance
Beginning performances were encouraging
He scored three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
When Cook returned to British conditions for that year's summer, the left-hander struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29
Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day in the third match facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his concluding international appearance prior to selection
"I found myself in the bar, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he admits
Decisive Instance
Cook's 110 secured his place for the Australian tour
Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one in practice matches down under
As the opening match began at the Gabba, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
An hour before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 by day's end then continued with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I don't remember specific guidance, our discussions," says Cook
The left-handers added 188 for the first wicket
The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance from an English player on Australian soil for 82 years
Total Command
England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test at Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
He continued his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The question was not whether England would triumph both match and urn, but the timing
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to win the match, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Historical Significance
Cook was player of the series
The following seven seasons of his Test career included other milestones
Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|