Remembering 766 - Cook's Dominance of the Australian Team
The legendary impressive 766 from an English player on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the English team badly required confidence in the series
After defeat by the Australian side at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades
Men wearing three lions have frequently been outmatched opponents at this challenging venue
The Inspirational Success
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero
This marks 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win in Australia during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals throughout a campaign down under
The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories
They have not won success at this venue since those glory days
Looking Back
"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match was achieved comprehensively"
Path to Success
The path toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of that year's Ashes in the UK
Despite English victory, the opener had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance above 50
He wanted more
"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he explains
Game Improvement
Two days after the celebrations, he was back facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes proved positive
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
When Cook returned to British conditions during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"
In eight innings facing these opponents, his highest score reached only 29
Scoreless overnight following day two of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"I found myself in the hospitality area, seeking the solution through drinking," he reveals
The Turning Point
Cook's 110 secured his place in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games in Australia
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore
"I cannot recall any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket
Cook's 235 not out represented the top score from an English player down under in eight decades
Series Dominance
The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning of the second Test in South Australia
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement with 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers
Ultimate Victory
England could have retained the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the SCG
The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their record innings during Australian Tests
The debate didn't concern if victory would come both match and urn, but the timing
"The environment was electric," says Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
Cook was player of the series
The following seven seasons in his international career featured other milestones
After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|