The Legend of 766 - Cook's Triumph in Australia
The legendary 766 runs from an English player in Australian conditions ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a place that offers England crucial hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to the hosts at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for decades
English cricketers have frequently been easy prey at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story achieved by a cricket hero
Today commemorates 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory down under during recent memory
Historic Achievement
It commenced of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs
The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs throughout a campaign in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories by an innings
England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since those glory days
Personal Reflections
"People overlook the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England won 3-1 in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"
Journey to Excellence
The path to down under success started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes on home soil
England won, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he notes
Skill Development
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back practicing numerous of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance
The initial results were encouraging
The batsman achieved three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
Upon his return to England during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his highest score was 29
Scoreless overnight following the second day's play during the final Test against Pakistan in London, Cook believed he was playing his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission
"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution through drinking," he reveals
The Turning Point
Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches down under
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle
Memorable Collaboration
Just before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 at stumps and proceeded with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall any instructions, our discussions," recalls Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton on Australian soil since the 1930s
Total Command
The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning during the following Test in Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success with 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters
What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," says Cook
Series Conclusion
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total during Australian Tests
The question was not if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The remaining seven years of his Test career were illuminated by additional achievements
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|