The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Australia
Sir Alastair's 766 runs scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series ranks second only to Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the English team badly required Ashes optimism
Following the loss to the Australian side during the opening match, England must stir themselves for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years
English cricketers have habitually been easy prey at this challenging venue
The Inspirational Achievement
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale provided by a shining knight
This marks a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory on Australian soil over nearly four decades
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, with every win by an innings
They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days
Personal Reflections
"You forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England triumphed 3-1 down under with every match were won by an innings"
The Road to Greatness
The path toward Australian glory started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 series in England
England won, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he states
Game Improvement
Shortly after the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch
Beginning performances were encouraging
Cook made three hundred-run innings during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
Upon his return to England for that year's summer, the batsman had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs
Scoreless overnight after day two during the final Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he reveals
Decisive Instance
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat in the squad down under
England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games in Australia
When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle
Record-Breaking Stand
Just before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and proceeded through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore
"I don't remember any instructions, our discussions," says Cook
The opening pair added 188 for the first wicket
The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s
Total Command
England exploited a remarkable opening session in the second match in Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
He continued his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
Series Conclusion
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition in Australia
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the home side were blown away for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground
The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia
The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, but when
"The environment was electric," Cook remembers
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of pure elation"
Enduring Impact
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career included further accomplishments
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|