Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in Down Under
The legendary 766 runs from an English player on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the Three Lions badly required hope for the Ashes
In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, the tourists have to bounce back ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England since 1986
Players representing England have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Success
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero
This marks 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match during that famous series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia in the past 38 years
Historic Achievement
It commenced of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals in a series on Australian soil
The English triumphed 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins
England hasn't achieved a Test here since those glory days
Looking Back
"You forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England won 3-1 in Australia with every match was achieved comprehensively"
Journey to Excellence
The path toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier after that year's Ashes on home soil
England won, the opener had an average below 25 managing only one innings above 50
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he states
Skill Development
Shortly after the triumphant events, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
The initial results showed promise
He scored three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to England for the 2010 summer, the batsman struggled significantly
In eight innings facing these opponents, his best performance totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out following day two of the third Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed this would be his final Test performance prior to selection
"I found myself in the bar, seeking the resolution through drinking," he admits
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 secured his place for the Australian tour
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests on Australian soil
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
Just before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," Cook remembers
Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman in Australia in eight decades
Series Dominance
The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning in the second match at Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement with 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The uncertainty wasn't if England would win both match and urn, rather when
"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of pure elation"
Historical Significance
The batsman received top accolades
The subsequent seven years in his international career featured additional achievements
Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|