766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
The legendary record-breaking 766 by an Englishman on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the English team some much-needed Ashes optimism
After defeat by Australia at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
English cricketers have frequently been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Success
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by a shining knight
This marks the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil in the past 38 years
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs
The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs in a series in this country
Victory came 3-1, where each success by an innings
England hasn't achieved a Test here since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"You forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 in Australia with every match were won by an innings"
Path to Success
His journey to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier after the 2009 Ashes in England
Despite English victory, the opener had an average below 25 managing only one innings over fifty
He desired better
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he explains
Technical Transformation
Two days after the triumphant events, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch
Beginning performances were encouraging
The batsman achieved three centuries during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
After coming back to England for the 2010 summer, the left-hander struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs
On nought not out following the second day of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain it might be his final Test performance prior to selection
"I found myself in the bar, attempting to discover the solution through drinking," he admits
The Turning Point
Cook's 110 ensured his position on the plane to Australia
England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests in Australia
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they encountered three wickets from Siddle
Memorable Collaboration
Just before the end of the third day, both batsmen opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership
Cook's 235 not out was the highest score from an English player on Australian soil in eight decades
Complete Control
England capitalised on an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement with 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of 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
Then came arguably England's best performance in Ashes history in Australia
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief when play concluded," says Cook
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the game and series, but the timing
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of absolute joy"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career featured other milestones
Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|