Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in Down Under
Sir Alastair's record-breaking 766 by an Englishman in Australian conditions is only bettered by Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a city to give the English team badly required confidence in the series
After defeat by Australia at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for decades
English cricketers have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Success
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration provided by a shining knight
This marks a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil during recent memory
Unforgettable Series
It commenced of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs
Wally Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs in a series on Australian soil
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins
They have not won a Test here since that memorable series
Looking Back
"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I made an important impact during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road to his Australian epic started a year and a half before at the end of that year's Ashes in England
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, personal performance generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states
Skill Development
Shortly after the triumphant events, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch
Beginning performances proved positive
Cook made three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Crucial Turning Points
After coming back to home soil for that year's summer, the batsman performed poorly
Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29
Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced this would be his concluding international appearance before being dropped
"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the solution by drowning sorrows," he admits
Critical Moment
The 110-run innings secured his place in the squad down under
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they faced three wickets from Siddle
Record-Breaking Stand
Just before day three's conclusion, both batsmen started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook
The left-handers added 188 together
The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player down under in eight decades
Series Dominance
England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test in Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
He continued his Brisbane success with 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," says Cook
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney
His 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The debate didn't concern if England would win the match and the Ashes, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got the last player to win the match, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
The batsman received top accolades
The remaining seven years in his international career included other milestones
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|