The Legend of 766 - Cook's Triumph in Australia
Alastair Cook's impressive 766 scored by an English batsman in Australian conditions was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the Three Lions badly required hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to Australia in the first Test, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Players representing England have often become easy prey at this challenging venue
The Inspirational Achievement
Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight
This marks 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, saving the first Test of 2010-11 paving England's path toward their sole series victory on Australian soil during recent memory
Unforgettable Series
It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil
England won 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins
The team hasn't secured a Test here since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"You forget the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory down under and all three games was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
His journey to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after that year's Ashes in the UK
England won, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states
Skill Development
Two days after the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance
Beginning performances proved positive
Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29
Scoreless overnight following the second day during the final Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain this would be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission
"There I was at the bar, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits
Decisive Instance
The 110-run innings secured his place on the plane to Australia
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they faced three wickets from Siddle
Memorable Collaboration
Just before day three's conclusion, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal was the highest score achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s
Complete Control
England capitalised on a remarkable opening session of the second Test at Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
He continued his Brisbane success with 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling
Series Conclusion
The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition in Australia
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief when play concluded," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their highest total during Australian Tests
The question was not whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when
"The environment was electric," Cook remembers
"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to win the match, that was a time of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey featured further accomplishments
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|