Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of Australia
Alastair Cook's record-breaking 766 from an English player on an Ashes tour is only bettered by Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the English team some much-needed hope for the Ashes
In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, the tourists have to bounce back before heading to the Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986
English cricketers have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane
A Shining Knight's Achievement
Among a recent history of English disappointments, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero
Today commemorates a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series paving England's path toward their sole series victory in Australia during recent memory
Historic Achievement
It commenced of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs
The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals throughout a campaign on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins
The team hasn't secured a Test here since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook remembers
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games were won by an innings"
Path to Success
His journey toward Australian glory commenced well before after the 2009 Ashes on home soil
Despite English victory, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings with just one score exceeding half-century
He wanted more
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he notes
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the celebrations, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance
The initial results proved positive
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
When Cook returned to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly
Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29
Without runs at the end of the second day during the final Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain he was playing his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission
"I found myself at the bar, trying to find the resolution by drowning sorrows," he reveals
The Turning Point
Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Just before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and followed up through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook
Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs together
The 235 without dismissal was the highest score by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s
Total Command
England capitalised on an astonishing first morning in the second match in Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
Series Conclusion
The English might have secured the urn in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket in Australia
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," Cook remembers
Ultimate Success
Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score in a Test in Australia
The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the match and the Ashes, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Enduring Impact
He earned series honors
The remaining seven years in his international career were illuminated by further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|