766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in Australia
The legendary record-breaking 766 by an Englishman during an Ashes series ranks second only to Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give England some much-needed hope for the Ashes
In the wake of losing to the Australian side at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a ground where England have not won for decades
English cricketers have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Success
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story achieved by a cricket hero
It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path toward their sole series victory down under during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs in a series on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, where each success through innings victories
They have not won a Test victory there since that memorable series
Cook's Memories
"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"
Journey to Excellence
His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier following the 2009 Ashes in England
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman had an average below 25 managing only one innings over fifty
He desired better
"Cricket is a team game, the individuality creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he explains
Skill Development
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back practicing numerous bowls during training with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes were encouraging
Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Crucial Turning Points
After coming back to home soil for that year's summer, the left-hander struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29
On nought not out following day two in the third match against Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance prior to selection
"There I was in the bar, trying to find the resolution through drinking," he reveals
Decisive Instance
Cook's 110 secured his place for the Australian tour
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches on Australian soil
As the opening match began at the famous ground, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before the end of the third day, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and followed up through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall specific guidance, our conversations," Cook remembers
The opening pair accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player in Australia in eight decades
Total Command
England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test at Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
England could have retained the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
What followed was arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief as the day ended," recalls Cook
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia
The question was not whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to claim triumph, it was a moment of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons of his Test career featured other milestones
Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|