The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of Australia
The legendary record-breaking 766 by an Englishman on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England crucial confidence in the series
Following the loss to the hosts in the first Test, England need to regroup ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have habitually been easy prey in Brisbane
The Inspirational Achievement
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story achieved by a cricket hero
This marks the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years
Unforgettable Series
This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign down under
England won 3-1, with every win through innings victories
The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"People overlook the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers
"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil with every match was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes in England
Despite English victory, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He wanted more
"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he states
Technical Transformation
Two days after the celebrations, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes showed promise
He scored three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
When Cook returned to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook performed poorly
In eight innings facing these opponents, his highest score reached only 29
On nought not out after the second day in the third match versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed this would be his final Test performance before being dropped
"I found myself in the hospitality area, seeking the solution through drinking," he reveals
Decisive Instance
The 110-run innings secured his place for the Australian tour
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games down under
As the opening match began at the Gabba, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers
The opening pair contributed 188 together
The 235 without dismissal was the highest score achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years
Complete Control
England exploited an astonishing first morning in the second match at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success with 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling
Ultimate Victory
England could have retained the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters
The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," says Cook
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 highest total on Australian soil
The question was not whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of absolute joy"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons of his Test career featured other milestones
After retiring internationally, he was honored for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|