The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of Down Under
The legendary impressive 766 by an Englishman on an Ashes tour ranks second only to cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England crucial confidence in the series
Following the loss to Australia in the first Test, the tourists need to regroup ahead of visiting the Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for decades
Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
Cook's Memorable Triumph
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale delivered by a cricket hero
This marks the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph down under over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
It was the beginning of his successful tour of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories
The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign
Personal Reflections
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers
"I look back with pride. I made an important impact during a campaign where England won 3-1 in Australia where each victory was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
The path to his Australian epic commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in the UK
Despite English victory, Cook had an average below 25 with just one score exceeding half-century
He wanted more
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
Beginning performances proved positive
He scored three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to England for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"
In eight innings facing these opponents, his top innings was 29
Scoreless overnight following the second day's play during the final Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his concluding international appearance prior to selection
"There I was in the bar, trying to find the answer through drinking," he reveals
Decisive Instance
His century ensured his position in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests on Australian soil
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before the third day's close, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 at stumps then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The left-handers contributed 188 for the first wicket
His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s
Total Command
The English took advantage of an incredible start in the second match in South Australia
After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover
The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief at the end of the day," says Cook
Series Conclusion
Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the game and series, rather when
"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to claim triumph, that was a time of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons of his cricket journey included other milestones
After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|