Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of Down Under
The legendary 766 runs from an English player on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a location providing the Three Lions some much-needed Ashes optimism
In the wake of losing to the hosts at the series start, the visiting team have to bounce back before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have habitually been easy prey in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration achieved by an exceptional player
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 without loss, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path toward their sole series victory in Australia over nearly four decades
Historic Achievement
This marked the start of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories
They have not won a Test victory there since that memorable series
Looking Back
"You forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects
"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a series when England triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory came through innings wins"
Path to Success
His journey to his Australian epic commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in the UK
Though England triumphed, Cook had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance above 50
He wanted more
"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he notes
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back at work facing countless bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance
Beginning performances were encouraging
Cook made three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Pivotal Instances
Upon his return to British conditions during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"
In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29
Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"There I was in the bar, trying to find the answer by drowning sorrows," he reveals
Decisive Instance
Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
Preparation continued through successful warm-ups in practice matches in Australia
As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered three wickets from Siddle
Memorable Collaboration
An hour before the end of the third day, the opening pair started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory
"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," recalls Cook
Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 together
The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player on Australian soil in eight decades
Complete Control
England exploited an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters
What followed was arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," says Cook
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His 189 lifted England to 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the match and the Ashes, but when
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got the last player to win the match, that was a time of pure elation"
Enduring Impact
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years in his international career included further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|