The Legend of 766 - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's record-breaking 766 scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour ranks second only to cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the English team crucial confidence in the series
Following the loss to the hosts during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for decades
Players representing England have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Success
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story provided by an exceptional player
Today commemorates a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory on Australian soil during recent memory
Historic Achievement
It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player 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 those glory days
Personal Reflections
"You forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 in Australia and all three games were won by an innings"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road to his Australian epic commenced well before following that year's Ashes in England
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 with just one score exceeding half-century
He desired better
"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he notes
Game Improvement
Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch
Beginning performances were encouraging
He scored three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Pivotal Instances
After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, the batsman struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29
Without runs at the end of the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed it might be his last Test innings before being dropped
"There I was in the bar, trying to find the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses
The Turning Point
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
Preparation continued through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests in Australia
As the opening match began at the famous ground, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our conversations," recalls Cook
The opening pair contributed 188 together
Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton in Australia in eight decades
Total Command
England capitalised on a remarkable opening session during the following Test in Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
He continued his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief as the day ended," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His 189 lifted England to 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to claim triumph, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Enduring Impact
The batsman received top accolades
The following seven seasons of his Test career featured further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|