Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's record-breaking 766 from an English player on an Ashes tour ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to the Australian side in the first Test, the visiting team must stir themselves before heading to the famous Gabba, a ground where England have not won for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane
The Inspirational Success
Among a recent history of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale achieved by a shining knight
Today commemorates a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
This marked the start of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs in a series down under
Victory came 3-1, with every win through innings victories
England hasn't achieved success at this venue since those glory days
Looking Back
"You forget the tough times, the tension and worry that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match was achieved comprehensively"
Path to Success
His journey to down under success commenced well before at the end of the 2009 Ashes in England
England won, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance above 50
He wanted more
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the celebrations, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training with Graham Gooch
Beginning performances were encouraging
The batsman achieved three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to England for the 2010 summer, the batsman had a "stinker"
During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs
Scoreless overnight at the end of day two of the third Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain this would be his last Test innings prior to selection
"I was sitting at the bar, seeking the solution through drinking," he admits
Decisive Instance
The 110-run innings ensured his position on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games in Australia
As the opening match began at the Gabba, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before the third day's close, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 at stumps and proceeded with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore
"I cannot recall the messages, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The opening pair added 188 together
His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia since the 1930s
Total Command
England capitalised on an incredible start in the second match in South Australia
After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and never recovered
He continued his Queensland achievement with 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling
Ultimate Victory
Victory was possible the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters
Then came arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under
In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, on the holiday, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," Cook remembers
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the game and series, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey included additional achievements
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|