Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of Australia
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a location providing the Three Lions some much-needed Ashes optimism
In the wake of losing to Australia at the series start, the visiting team need to regroup ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986
English cricketers have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir
The Inspirational Achievement
Within recent memory of English disappointments, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration delivered by a shining knight
This marks the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia during recent memory
Historic Achievement
It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign in this country
Victory came 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins
They have not won a Test here since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"You forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games came through innings wins"
Path to Success
His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier after the 2009 Ashes in England
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings with just one score over fifty
He wanted more
"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he states
Technical Transformation
Two days after the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes showed promise
He scored three hundreds during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Pivotal Instances
Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, the batsman struggled significantly
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings was 29
Scoreless overnight at the end of day two in the third match facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance before being dropped
"There I was in the bar, trying to find the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals
Critical Moment
The 110-run innings ensured his position in the squad down under
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under
As the opening match began at the Gabba, they faced three wickets from Siddle
Historic Partnership
An hour before day three's conclusion, the opening pair started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The left-handers added 188 in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman down under in eight decades
Total Command
England capitalised on an astonishing first morning of the second Test at Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later
What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief when play concluded," Cook remembers
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings during Australian Tests
The debate didn't concern if England would win the game and series, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career were illuminated by additional achievements
Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|
