Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
Sir Alastair's 766 runs from an English player during an Ashes series was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a location providing England badly required confidence in the series
After defeat by Australia at the series start, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting the Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents at this challenging venue
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero
This marks 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test during that famous series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory in Australia over nearly four decades
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, with every win by an innings
England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that memorable series
Looking Back
"You forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"
Path to Success
Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier following that year's Ashes in the UK
England won, the opening batsman had an average below 25 with just one score over fifty
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he notes
Technical Transformation
Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance
Beginning performances showed promise
Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Crucial Turning Points
When Cook returned to England for the 2010 summer, the left-hander struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29
Without runs at the end of day two during the final Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance before being dropped
"I was sitting at the bar, attempting to discover the resolution by drowning sorrows," he reveals
The Turning Point
The 110-run innings ensured his position in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they faced three wickets from Siddle
Record-Breaking Stand
An hour before day three's conclusion, the opening pair opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," says Cook
The left-handers added 188 together
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score from an English player in Australia since the 1930s
Series Dominance
The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning in the second match in Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover
Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack
Series Conclusion
England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," says Cook
Ultimate Success
Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney
His 189 lifted England to 644, their best score on Australian soil
The question was not if England would win the game and series, rather when
"The environment was electric," says Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to claim triumph, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons of his Test career were illuminated by other milestones
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|
