Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under
The legendary impressive 766 scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions badly required confidence in the series
Following the loss to the Australian side during the opening match, England have to bounce back before heading to the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for decades
Men wearing three lions have frequently been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
A Shining Knight's Achievement
Among a recent history of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story delivered by a shining knight
It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph down under over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals throughout a campaign in this country
Victory came 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins
England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that historic campaign
Personal Reflections
"One tends to forget the tough times, the tension and worry that went into that," Cook recalls
"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a series when England triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"
The Road to Greatness
His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series on home soil
England won, Cook had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance above 50
He sought improvement
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains
Technical Transformation
Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
Early outcomes showed promise
Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
Upon his return to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29
Scoreless overnight after the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain he was playing his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"I found myself in the bar, seeking the solution through drinking," he reveals
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour
England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games in Australia
When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Just before the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook
The opening pair added 188 together
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years
Total Command
England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test in Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
England could have retained the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters
Then came possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket in Australia
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," says Cook
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the SCG
His 189 lifted England to 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but when
"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to claim triumph, that was a time of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
The batsman received top accolades
The subsequent seven years of his Test career featured additional achievements
Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|