The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Australia
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 from an English player in Australian conditions ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the Three Lions badly required confidence in the series
Following the loss to Australia in the first Test, England have to bounce back for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years
Players representing England have frequently been easy prey at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Success
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story delivered by an exceptional player
This marks 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path toward their sole series victory in Australia over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs during a Test series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success by an innings
They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days
Personal Reflections
"One tends to forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook remembers
"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 down under with every match was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
The path to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series on home soil
Though England triumphed, Cook had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty
He wanted more
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he explains
Skill Development
Two days after the celebrations, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance
Beginning performances were encouraging
He scored three centuries on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
Upon his return to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out after the second day in the third match versus Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain he was playing his final Test performance before being dropped
"I was sitting in the bar, attempting to discover the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 secured his place for the Australian tour
England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches on Australian soil
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Just before the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and followed up with a performance etched in Ashes folklore
"I don't remember the messages, our conversations," Cook remembers
Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
Cook's 235 not out represented the top score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil since the 1930s
Complete Control
England capitalised on an astonishing first morning during the following Test in Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
He continued his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack
Ultimate Victory
The English might have secured the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
Then came possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," recalls Cook
The Final Victory
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, but the timing
"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to win the match, it was a moment of absolute joy"
Legacy and Recognition
The batsman received top accolades
The following seven seasons of his cricket journey were illuminated by additional achievements
After retiring internationally, he was honored for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|