Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in Australia
The legendary impressive 766 from an English player during an Ashes series is only bettered by cricket legend Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a place that offers the English team some much-needed hope for the Ashes
After defeat by the Australian side in the first Test, the visiting team need to regroup ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
Players representing England have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane
The Inspirational Success
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale achieved by a shining knight
Today commemorates a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil over nearly four decades
Unforgettable Series
It commenced of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series down under
England won 3-1, with every win through innings victories
They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects
"I look back with pride. I played a significant part during a campaign where England won 3-1 in Australia and all three games were won by an innings"
Journey to Excellence
Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series in England
Though England triumphed, Cook scored under 25 per innings with just one score exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he explains
Technical Transformation
Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance
Early outcomes showed promise
Cook made three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Career-Defining Moments
When Cook returned to home soil during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"
In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs
Scoreless overnight following day two in the third match facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance before being dropped
"There I was in the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals
The Turning Point
Cook's 110 ensured his position in the squad down under
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games in Australia
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, both batsmen began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and proceeded with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our conversations," says Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s
Series Dominance
The English took advantage of an incredible start of the second Test in Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters
What followed was possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," recalls Cook
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground
The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia
The uncertainty wasn't if England would win both match and urn, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers
"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to claim triumph, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
The batsman received top accolades
The subsequent seven years in his international career featured other milestones
After retiring internationally, he was honored for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|