Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of Down Under
Alastair Cook's 766 runs scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give England badly required confidence in the series
After defeat by the Australian side during the opening match, England have to bounce back before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir
The Inspirational Success
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero
This marks the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph down under during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of his successful Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins
They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign
Personal Reflections
"You forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects
"I look back with pride. I made an important impact during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
His journey toward Australian glory started a year and a half before after the 2009 series on home soil
England won, the opener averaged less than 25 managing only one innings above 50
He wanted more
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he notes
Skill Development
Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he returned facing countless deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch
Beginning performances showed promise
The batsman achieved three centuries during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
Upon his return to British conditions for the 2010 summer, the left-hander performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29
On nought not out after the second day during the final Test against Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain it might be his concluding international appearance prior to selection
"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the solution by drowning sorrows," he confesses
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour
England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches on Australian soil
As the opening match began in Brisbane, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded and followed up through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The opening pair accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman on Australian soil for 82 years
Series Dominance
The English took advantage of an incredible start of the second Test at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later
The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket in Australia
In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," recalls Cook
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the SCG
His 189 helped England reach 644, their best score on Australian soil
The question was not whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The environment was electric," says Cook
"When Tremlett got the last player to claim triumph, it was a moment of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The remaining seven years of his Test career included additional achievements
After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|
