The Legend of 766 - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
The legendary 766 runs scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour ranks second only to cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England some much-needed hope for the Ashes
In the wake of losing to the hosts during the opening match, England must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for decades
English cricketers have frequently been easy prey in Brisbane
The Inspirational Triumph
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story delivered by a shining knight
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series paving England's path toward their sole series victory on Australian soil 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 who has made more runs in a series in this country
The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories
England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"People overlook the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook remembers
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 in Australia and all three games came through innings wins"
Journey to Excellence
Cook's road to his Australian epic commenced well before following that year's Ashes in England
England won, the opening batsman had an average below 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, the individuality creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he states
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the celebrations, he was back facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
The initial results proved positive
Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
When Cook returned to home soil during the 2010 season, the left-hander struggled significantly
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out at the end of the second day of the third Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission
"I was sitting in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he admits
Critical Moment
His century ensured his position for the Australian tour
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches in Australia
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle
Memorable Collaboration
Shortly prior to the third day's close, both batsmen opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 at stumps then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"I don't remember any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers
The opening pair added 188 for the first wicket
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman in Australia in eight decades
Complete Control
The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning of the second Test at Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout
He continued his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," says Cook
The Final Victory
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, Cook excelled once more in Sydney
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia
The question was not if England would win both match and urn, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career were illuminated by further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|