766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in Australia
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 city to give the Three Lions badly required confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to the hosts in the first Test, England need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years
Players representing England have habitually been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
The Inspirational Success
Within recent memory of English disappointments, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale achieved by a cricket hero
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win in Australia during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
It was the beginning of his successful Australian campaign; three hundreds totaling 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs throughout a campaign down under
England won 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins
England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that memorable series
Looking Back
"You forget the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers
"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia where each victory came through innings wins"
Journey to Excellence
The path toward Australian glory commenced well before following the 2009 Ashes in England
Despite English victory, the opener scored under 25 per innings with just one score exceeding half-century
He desired better
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he notes
Game Improvement
Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back at work practicing numerous bowls during training with Graham Gooch
The initial results showed promise
He scored three centuries on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Pivotal Instances
After coming back to home soil during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings was 29
Without runs following the second day during the final Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced he was playing his concluding international appearance before being dropped
"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals
Critical Moment
His century guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw in practice matches in Australia
Come the first Test at the Gabba, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Just before day three's conclusion, both batsmen started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I don't remember any instructions, our conversations," says Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket
The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player down under for 82 years
Total Command
England capitalised on a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
He continued his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later
The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition down under
At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief when play concluded," says Cook
The Final Victory
Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook excelled once more in Sydney
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia
The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph both match and urn, rather when
"The environment was electric," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to claim triumph, it represented an instant of complete happiness"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career included further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|