766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of Australia
Alastair Cook's record-breaking 766 from an English player during an Ashes series ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the Three Lions crucial confidence in the series
Following the loss to the hosts at the series start, the visiting team need to regroup for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
English cricketers have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Success
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story achieved by a shining knight
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 without loss, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph down under in the past 38 years
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of his successful Australian campaign; three centuries totaling 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series down under
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories by an innings
The team hasn't secured success at this venue since those glory days
Personal Reflections
"You forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook remembers
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 down under where each victory came through innings wins"
Journey to Excellence
Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in the UK
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance above 50
He sought improvement
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains
Game Improvement
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
Early outcomes were encouraging
Cook made three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook performed poorly
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29
Without runs following the second day in the third match against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced this would be his last Test innings before being dropped
"There I was at the bar, attempting to discover the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses
Critical Moment
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour
The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests down under
As the opening match began at the Gabba, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before the end of the third day, both batsmen opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our discussions," Cook remembers
The left-handers added 188 in their partnership
Cook's 235 not out represented the top score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years
Series Dominance
England capitalised on an astonishing first morning of the second Test in Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout
He continued his Queensland achievement with 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian sport, on the holiday, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief as the day ended," Cook remembers
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the game and series, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Enduring Impact
He earned series honors
The remaining seven years of his cricket journey featured additional achievements
Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|