766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of Australia
The legendary 766 runs by an Englishman during an Ashes series ranks second only to Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team crucial confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to Australia at the series start, the visiting team need to regroup before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where England have not won for decades
Players representing England have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir
The Inspirational Achievement
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story achieved by a shining knight
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win in Australia during recent memory
Unforgettable Series
This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign down under
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories
England hasn't achieved a Test here since that historic campaign
Personal Reflections
"People overlook the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 down under and all three games were won by an innings"
Journey to Excellence
The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before following the 2009 series on home soil
England won, the opener averaged less than 25 with just one score above 50
He sought improvement
"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he states
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the celebrations, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch
The initial results proved positive
Cook made three centuries during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Pivotal Instances
After coming back to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"
In eight innings facing these opponents, his highest score totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out following day two of the third Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings before being dropped
"There I was in the bar, attempting to discover the answer through drinking," he admits
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat in the squad down under
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under
When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle
Record-Breaking Stand
An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and proceeded with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I don't remember the messages, our conversations," recalls Cook
Both left-handed batsmen added 188 together
Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance by an Englishman down under in eight decades
Series Dominance
England exploited an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia
After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
England could have retained the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. There was disbelief when play concluded," recalls Cook
Ultimate Success
Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The question was not if England would win both match and urn, but the timing
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
Cook was player of the series
The following seven seasons of his Test career featured further accomplishments
Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|