Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's impressive 766 from an English player during an Ashes series ranks second only to cricket legend Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions crucial Ashes optimism
After defeat by Australia during the opening match, England need to regroup before heading to the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Players representing England have habitually been easy prey at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Achievement
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration provided by a shining knight
Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs
The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series down under
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success through innings victories
England hasn't achieved success at this venue since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook recalls
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 in Australia with every match was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
The path to down under success began 18 months earlier at the end of that year's Ashes on home soil
England won, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty
He sought improvement
"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he states
Game Improvement
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back at work facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes were encouraging
He scored three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to home soil for that year's summer, Cook had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out after day two in the third match against Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain this would be his concluding international appearance prior to selection
"I found myself at the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits
The Turning Point
Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
Just before the third day's close, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our discussions," Cook remembers
The left-handers added 188 for the first wicket
The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance by an Englishman in Australia since the 1930s
Complete Control
The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session in the second match in South Australia
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters
Then came possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," recalls Cook
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The question was not if England would win the match and the Ashes, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got the last player to claim triumph, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years of his Test career were illuminated by further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|