The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of Australia
The legendary 766 runs scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series is only bettered by Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the English team some much-needed confidence in the series
Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, England must stir themselves before heading to the famous Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for decades
Players representing England have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
The Inspirational Success
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale achieved by a shining knight
This marks a decade and a half after the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil over nearly four decades
Historic Achievement
This marked the start of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series down under
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins
The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact during a campaign where England won 3-1 down under with every match was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier at the end of that year's Ashes in the UK
Despite English victory, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings above 50
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he explains
Game Improvement
Two days after the victory celebrations, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance
Beginning performances proved positive
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
Upon his return to England for the 2010 summer, the left-hander struggled significantly
In eight innings facing these opponents, his top innings totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out after the second day in the third match versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, trying to find the solution through drinking," he confesses
Decisive Instance
His century secured his place in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests down under
As the opening match began 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 needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory
"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our discussions," recalls Cook
The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket
Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance by an Englishman down under in eight decades
Total Command
England capitalised on a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack
Series Conclusion
The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later
The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history down under
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," recalls Cook
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney
His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings during Australian Tests
The debate didn't concern if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Historical Significance
The batsman received top accolades
The following seven seasons of his cricket journey were illuminated by further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|