Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of Australia
The legendary record-breaking 766 by an Englishman in Australian conditions was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions crucial hope for the Ashes
After defeat by the Australian side at the series start, England have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for decades
Players representing England have frequently been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Success
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero
This marks 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil in the past 38 years
Unforgettable Series
It commenced of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals during a Test series in this country
England won 3-1, with all victories through innings victories
They have not won a Test victory there since that historic campaign
Cook's Memories
"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil with every match was achieved comprehensively"
Path to Success
The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes on home soil
England won, Cook averaged less than 25 managing only one innings above 50
He desired better
"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he states
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back practicing numerous bowls during training with Graham Gooch
The initial results showed promise
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
Upon his return to British conditions for the 2010 summer, the left-hander struggled significantly
Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out following the second day during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain this would be his last Test innings before being dropped
"I found myself at the bar, seeking the resolution by drowning sorrows," he confesses
The Turning Point
His century guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games on Australian soil
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they faced three wickets from Siddle
Memorable Collaboration
Shortly prior to the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I don't remember any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook
The left-handers added 188 in their partnership
Cook's 235 not out was the highest score from an English player down under since the 1930s
Complete Control
England capitalised on an incredible start in the second match in South Australia
When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later
Then came possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian sport, on the holiday, the Australian team were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," recalls Cook
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score in a Test in Australia
The question was not if victory would come the game and series, rather when
"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, that was a time of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey included other milestones
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|