The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of the Australian Team
The legendary impressive 766 scored by an English batsman in Australian conditions is only bettered by cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions crucial confidence in the series
After defeat by the hosts in the first Test, the tourists need to regroup before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England since 1986
Players representing England have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue
The Inspirational Success
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale achieved by a shining knight
Today commemorates 15 years since the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win in Australia in the past 38 years
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs throughout a campaign in this country
Victory came 3-1, where each success by an innings
They have not won a Test here since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"You forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England won 3-1 down under with every match came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
His journey to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier following that year's Ashes on home soil
England won, Cook averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty
He desired better
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states
Technical Transformation
Two days after the triumphant events, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch
The initial results proved positive
The batsman achieved three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
After coming back to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman struggled significantly
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out after the second day's play during the final Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed it might be his last Test innings prior to selection
"I was sitting in the bar, attempting to discover the answer through drinking," he admits
The Turning Point
His century guaranteed his seat in the squad down under
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches on Australian soil
Come the first Test at the Gabba, they encountered three wickets from Siddle
Memorable Collaboration
Shortly prior to the third day's close, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore
"I cannot recall specific guidance, our discussions," Cook remembers
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs together
The 235 without dismissal represented the top score achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s
Complete Control
England exploited an astonishing first morning during the following Test in South Australia
After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success with 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the urn in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition down under
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, on the holiday, the home side were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief as the day ended," says Cook
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney
His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come both match and urn, but when
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career featured further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|