Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in Down Under
The legendary 766 runs by an Englishman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the English team badly required hope for the Ashes
In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves before heading to the famous Gabba, a stadium where England have not won since 1986
Men wearing three lions have habitually been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight
This marks 15 years since the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory on Australian soil during recent memory
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs
Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs during a Test series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success through innings victories
The team hasn't secured a Test victory there since those glory days
Personal Reflections
"You forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"I look back with pride. I made an important impact during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 in Australia with every match was achieved comprehensively"
Path to Success
His journey to his Australian epic commenced well before after the 2009 series on home soil
Despite English victory, the opener averaged less than 25 with just one score above 50
He sought improvement
"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he explains
Technical Transformation
Two days after the triumphant events, he was back facing countless bowls during training with Graham Gooch
Beginning performances were encouraging
He scored three hundreds on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Career-Defining Moments
When Cook returned to home soil for that year's summer, the batsman struggled significantly
In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out at the end of day two during the final Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance prior to selection
"I was sitting in the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals
The Turning Point
Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests in Australia
Come the first Test at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
Shortly prior to the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore
"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," Cook remembers
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal was the highest score achieved by a Briton in Australia in eight decades
Complete Control
The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning in the second match in Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover
He continued his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling
Series Conclusion
England could have retained the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day in Ashes history in Australia
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His 189 helped England reach 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The question was not whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but the timing
"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to win the match, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Enduring Impact
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years in his international career featured further accomplishments
Post-cricket career, he was honored for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|