766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in Down Under
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the Three Lions crucial confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to the hosts in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
The Inspirational Success
Within recent memory of English disappointments, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story achieved by an exceptional player
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match during that famous series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win down under during recent memory
Historic Achievement
This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs
Wally Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs during a Test series down under
Victory came 3-1, where each success by an innings
They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign
Cook's Memories
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 down under with every match were won by an innings"
Journey to Excellence
Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before after that year's Ashes in England
Despite English victory, Cook had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century
He wanted more
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he states
Game Improvement
Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back at work practicing numerous deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
The initial results showed promise
He scored three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, the left-hander struggled significantly
In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs
Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day's play in the third match against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his last Test innings ahead of potential omission
"There I was in the bar, trying to find the solution through drinking," he confesses
Critical Moment
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
An hour before day three's conclusion, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall the messages, our discussions," Cook remembers
The opening pair added 188 for the first wicket
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years
Complete Control
England exploited an astonishing first morning of the second Test at Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket in Australia
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook excelled once more in Sydney
His 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come both match and urn, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career included further accomplishments
Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|