766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 by an Englishman on an Ashes tour ranks second only to cricket legend Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the Three Lions badly required confidence in the series
After defeat by the hosts at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades
Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
The Inspirational Achievement
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale delivered by a shining knight
This marks the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, saving the first Test during that famous series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory in Australia over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs
Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs during a Test series in this country
England won 3-1, with all victories by an innings
They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under where each victory were won by an innings"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier following the 2009 series on home soil
Though England triumphed, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings above 50
He desired better
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he notes
Technical Transformation
Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back at work practicing numerous bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance
Beginning performances were encouraging
The batsman achieved three hundreds on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Career-Defining Moments
Upon his return to England for the 2010 summer, the left-hander performed poorly
In eight innings facing these opponents, his top innings reached only 29
On nought not out at the end of the second day of the third Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed it might be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission
"I found myself at the bar, trying to find the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals
The Turning Point
His century guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded 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
His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance by an Englishman on Australian soil for 82 years
Series Dominance
England exploited an astonishing first morning during the following Test in South Australia
When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack
Ultimate Victory
Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," says Cook
Ultimate Success
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total during Australian Tests
The question was not if England would win the game and series, but the timing
"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to claim triumph, that was a time of absolute joy"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|