Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in Down Under
The legendary impressive 766 scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a city to give the English team some much-needed Ashes optimism
In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, England must stir themselves ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Players representing England have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
The Inspirational Triumph
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story provided by an exceptional player
Today commemorates a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil in the past 38 years
Historic Achievement
It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs throughout a campaign down under
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories by an innings
They have not won a Test victory there since that memorable series
Cook's Memories
"People overlook the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after the 2009 Ashes in the UK
Though England triumphed, Cook averaged less than 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He desired better
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states
Skill Development
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he returned facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
The initial results proved positive
Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
When Cook returned to home soil for the 2010 summer, the batsman performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his best performance reached only 29
Without runs following day two of the third Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance before being dropped
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution by drowning sorrows," he admits
Critical Moment
The 110-run innings secured his place on the plane to Australia
Preparation continued through successful warm-ups in practice matches down under
As the opening match began in Brisbane, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
Shortly prior to the third day's close, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 at stumps and proceeded through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook
The opening pair contributed 188 together
Cook's 235 not out was the highest score by an Englishman down under since the 1930s
Series Dominance
The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement with 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling
The Final Triumph
England could have retained the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters
The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook excelled once more in Sydney
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their highest total on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the game and series, rather when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to claim triumph, it was a moment of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The remaining seven years of his cricket journey included additional achievements
After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|
