766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
Alastair Cook's record-breaking 766 by an Englishman on an Ashes tour ranks second only to Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the English team some much-needed confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to the Australian side in the first Test, the tourists need to regroup for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue
A Shining Knight's Achievement
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero
This marks a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil over nearly four decades
Unforgettable Series
This marked the start of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs
Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals in a series down under
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories by an innings
They have not won success at this venue since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a series when England triumphed 3-1 down under and all three games were won by an innings"
Path to Success
Cook's road to down under success began 18 months earlier after the 2009 series in England
Despite English victory, Cook scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance above 50
He sought improvement
"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he states
Game Improvement
Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back at work facing countless deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch
Beginning performances proved positive
The batsman achieved three centuries during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, the left-hander performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his top innings was 29
Without runs after the second day's play in the third match against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed he was playing his final Test performance prior to selection
"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the solution through drinking," he admits
Decisive Instance
Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests in Australia
As the opening match began at the Gabba, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Just before the end of the third day, the opening pair began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall the messages, our discussions," says Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score from an English player in Australia since the 1930s
Series Dominance
England capitalised on an astonishing first morning in the second match at Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later
What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history on Australian soil
At the MCG, the massive stadium of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," recalls Cook
Ultimate Success
Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their highest total during Australian Tests
The question was not if England would win the game and series, but the timing
"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to secure victory, it was a moment of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons of his cricket journey included other milestones
Following his international retirement, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|