The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of Australia
The legendary impressive 766 from an English player in Australian conditions was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers England crucial hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to Australia in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to the Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years
English cricketers have frequently been easy prey at this challenging venue
A Shining Knight's Success
Among a recent history of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero
This marks 15 years since the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three centuries accumulating 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals during a Test series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories
England hasn't achieved success at this venue since those glory days
Personal Reflections
"You forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a series when England won 3-1 down under and all three games came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier after the 2009 series on home soil
England won, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings above 50
He wanted more
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he states
Skill Development
Two days after the triumphant events, he was back at work facing countless of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
The initial results showed promise
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
Upon his return to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his highest score was 29
On nought not out following day two in the third match against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission
"There I was in the bar, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he confesses
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 secured his place in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games on Australian soil
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they faced three wickets from Siddle
Historic Partnership
An hour before the end of the third day, the opening pair began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our conversations," Cook remembers
The opening pair accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket
The 235 without dismissal was the highest score by an Englishman down under for 82 years
Complete Control
England exploited an astonishing first morning in the second match in Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement with 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers
Ultimate Victory
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day in Ashes history in Australia
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, on the holiday, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," says Cook
Series Conclusion
Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, it represented an instant of absolute joy"
Enduring Impact
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years of his Test career included additional achievements
After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|