The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's 766 runs by an Englishman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a city to give England crucial confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to the hosts at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves before heading to the famous Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades
Players representing England have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane
The Inspirational Triumph
Among a recent history of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero
Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match during that famous series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win down under over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs during a Test series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories by an innings
The team hasn't secured a Test victory there since that historic campaign
Cook's Memories
"You forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 down under where each victory came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
His journey to his Australian epic commenced well before following the 2009 Ashes on home soil
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance above 50
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states
Skill Development
Shortly after the celebrations, he was back practicing numerous deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance
The initial results were encouraging
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Pivotal Instances
After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, the left-hander struggled significantly
In eight innings facing these opponents, his best performance was 29
Without runs following day two in the third match facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced he was playing his final Test performance before being dropped
"I found myself at the bar, seeking the answer through drinking," he confesses
Critical Moment
His century guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
Preparation continued through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests in Australia
Come the first Test at the Gabba, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 by day's end then continued with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our conversations," Cook remembers
The opening pair contributed 188 in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score from an English player down under for 82 years
Total Command
The English took advantage of an incredible start during the following Test in South Australia
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
He continued his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
England could have retained the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground
The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their record innings during Australian Tests
The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to win the match, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
The batsman received top accolades
The following seven seasons of his cricket journey included further accomplishments
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|