Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in Down Under
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 from an English player during an Ashes series ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing England badly required confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to the hosts during the opening match, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story achieved by a cricket hero
This marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia in the past 38 years
Unforgettable Series
It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs during a Test series down under
Victory came 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins
England hasn't achieved a Test here since those glory days
Looking Back
"You forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a series when England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory was achieved comprehensively"
Journey to Excellence
His journey to his Australian epic commenced well before following the 2009 Ashes in the UK
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he notes
Technical Transformation
Two days after the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
Early outcomes were encouraging
Cook made three hundreds during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
When Cook returned to home soil during the 2010 season, the left-hander performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29
Without runs at the end of day two of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed this would be his last Test innings before being dropped
"I found myself in the hospitality area, trying to find the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals
Decisive Instance
Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat in the squad down under
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games on Australian soil
As the opening match began at the famous ground, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before the end of the third day, the opening pair began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore
"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our conversations," recalls Cook
The left-handers contributed 188 in their partnership
Cook's 235 not out was the highest score from an English player on Australian soil for 82 years
Complete Control
England exploited a remarkable opening session in the second match in Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
He continued his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling
Ultimate Victory
England could have retained the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters
What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," Cook remembers
Ultimate Success
Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook was at it again in Sydney
His 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total during Australian Tests
The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the match and the Ashes, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The remaining seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|