The Legend of 766 - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
The legendary record-breaking 766 by an Englishman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes
After defeat by the Australian side at the series start, England must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986
English cricketers have habitually been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story delivered by a cricket hero
Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory down under over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs
Wally Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
England won 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins
England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that historic campaign
Looking Back
"You forget the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under where each victory were won by an innings"
Path to Success
Cook's road to his Australian epic commenced well before after the 2009 Ashes in England
England won, the opener had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century
He wanted more
"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he states
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back facing countless deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance
Early outcomes showed promise
Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Crucial Turning Points
After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook performed poorly
Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs
Without runs following day two of the third Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance prior to selection
"I found myself at the bar, trying to find the solution by drowning sorrows," he admits
Decisive Instance
Cook's 110 ensured his position on the plane to Australia
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests in Australia
As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
An hour before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and proceeded through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The opening pair added 188 in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal was the highest score from an English player down under in eight decades
Total Command
The English took advantage of an incredible start in the second match in South Australia
After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the urn in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under
At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," Cook remembers
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings during Australian Tests
The question was not whether England would triumph the game and series, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to secure victory, that was a time of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons of his cricket journey were illuminated by other milestones
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|