Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of Australia
Alastair Cook's impressive 766 scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the English team badly required hope for the Ashes
After defeat by the hosts in the first Test, England have to bounce back before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where England have not won since 1986
Players representing England have often become outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
A Shining Knight's Triumph
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration achieved by an exceptional player
It is exactly 15 years since Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia during recent memory
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs
The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, where each success through innings victories
The team hasn't secured a Test here since that memorable series
Cook's Memories
"You forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil where each victory were won by an innings"
The Road to Greatness
The path to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier after the 2009 Ashes in the UK
England won, the opener had an average below 25 with just one score above 50
He desired better
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he notes
Technical Transformation
Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training with Graham Gooch
Beginning performances proved positive
He scored three hundreds during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Pivotal Instances
When Cook returned to British conditions during the 2010 season, the left-hander performed poorly
Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs
Scoreless overnight after day two in the third match against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced it might be his last Test innings before being dropped
"I found myself in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 ensured his position on the plane to Australia
England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games 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, both batsmen opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," Cook remembers
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman on Australian soil in eight decades
Complete Control
The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning of the second Test in South Australia
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
Ultimate Victory
England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
What followed was possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition in Australia
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the game and series, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook
"When Tremlett got the last player to claim triumph, that was a time of complete happiness"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years of his Test career featured other milestones
After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|
