The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered the Australian Team
The legendary record-breaking 766 by an Englishman in Australian conditions was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the English team crucial Ashes optimism
Following the loss to the Australian side at the series start, England need to regroup for a trip to the famous Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for decades
Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents at this challenging venue
The Inspirational Achievement
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration provided by a shining knight
This marks a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph down under during recent memory
Historic Achievement
It was the beginning of his successful Australian campaign; three centuries and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign in this country
England won 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins
They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign
Looking Back
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match came through innings wins"
Journey to Excellence
His journey to his Australian epic commenced well before following the 2009 Ashes in the UK
Though England triumphed, Cook had an average below 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He desired better
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he explains
Game Improvement
Shortly after the celebrations, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch
Beginning performances showed promise
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
When Cook returned to England for that year's summer, the left-hander performed poorly
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29
Without runs following the second day of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced it might be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he confesses
The Turning Point
Cook's 110 secured his place in the squad down under
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under
As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss at stumps then continued through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory
"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our discussions," Cook remembers
Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton in Australia in eight decades
Complete Control
The English took advantage of an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement with 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
England could have retained 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 in Australia
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," says Cook
Ultimate Success
Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the SCG
The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The question was not if England would win the game and series, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
The batsman received top accolades
The remaining seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by additional achievements
Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|