The Legend of 766 - Cook's Triumph in Down Under
The legendary record-breaking 766 scored by an English batsman in Australian conditions ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team crucial confidence in the series
Following the loss to the Australian side during the opening match, England have to bounce back for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years
English cricketers have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero
This marks a decade and a half after Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph down under during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals throughout a campaign on Australian soil
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories
They have not won success at this venue since those glory days
Personal Reflections
"You forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier following the 2009 series on home soil
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty
He desired better
"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he explains
Skill Development
Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes proved positive
The batsman achieved three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
When Cook returned to British conditions during the 2010 season, Cook performed poorly
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29
Scoreless overnight after the second day during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed it might be his last Test innings prior to selection
"I was sitting in the bar, seeking the resolution through drinking," he confesses
Critical Moment
His century ensured his position on the plane to Australia
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games in Australia
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Just before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore
"I don't remember the messages, our conversations," Cook remembers
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket
Cook's 235 not out represented the top score from an English player in Australia for 82 years
Series Dominance
England exploited an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling
The Final Triumph
England could have retained the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day in Ashes history on Australian soil
At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side were blown away for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," says Cook
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the SCG
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their record innings during Australian Tests
The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph both match and urn, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to claim triumph, that was a time of absolute joy"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years in his international career were illuminated by additional achievements
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|