766 and All That - When Cook Conquered Australia
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a place that offers the English team crucial hope for the Ashes
In the wake of losing to the Australian side at the series start, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England since 1986
Men wearing three lions have frequently been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Success
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story achieved by a shining knight
It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia in the past 38 years
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs throughout a campaign in this country
England won 3-1, with all victories by an innings
England hasn't achieved success at this venue since those glory days
Looking Back
"People overlook the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under where each victory were won by an innings"
Path to Success
Cook's road to his Australian epic commenced well before after the 2009 series in the UK
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings above 50
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he explains
Skill Development
Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back at work practicing numerous of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
Beginning performances showed promise
He scored three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
When Cook returned to home soil for the 2010 summer, the batsman had a "stinker"
In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs
Scoreless overnight following the second day during the final Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced he was playing his final Test performance before being dropped
"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution through drinking," he reveals
The Turning Point
His century secured his place in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches in Australia
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before day three's conclusion, both batsmen started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our discussions," recalls Cook
The left-handers contributed 188 for the first wicket
Cook's 235 not out was the highest score achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years
Complete Control
England exploited an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later
Then came arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket down under
At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side collapsed to 98 all out
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, Cook excelled once more in Sydney
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia
The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of pure elation"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career included additional achievements
Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|