766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of the Australian Team
Sir Alastair's impressive 766 by an Englishman in Australian conditions is only bettered by the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the English team some much-needed confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to the Australian side at the series start, England need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a ground where England have not won for decades
Men wearing three lions have often become outmatched opponents at this challenging venue
The Inspirational Achievement
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight
This marks the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades
Historic Achievement
It commenced of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs
The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil
The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories
England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"People overlook the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory down under with every match were won by an innings"
Journey to Excellence
His journey to down under success started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes on home soil
England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He desired better
"Cricket is a team game, personal performance generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he notes
Game Improvement
Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back practicing numerous of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
Early outcomes proved positive
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, the batsman struggled significantly
Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs
Without runs following the second day in the third match facing Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain he was playing his final Test performance prior to selection
"I found myself at the bar, trying to find the resolution through drinking," he admits
The Turning Point
The 110-run innings ensured his position for the Australian tour
Preparation continued with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games in Australia
As the opening match began at the Gabba, they encountered three wickets from Siddle
Memorable Collaboration
An hour before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our discussions," says Cook
Both left-handed batsmen added 188 together
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score achieved by a Briton in Australia in eight decades
Total Command
England capitalised on a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover
Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling
The Final Triumph
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later
What followed was arguably England's best performance in Ashes history on Australian soil
At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian sport, on the holiday, the Australian team were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score on Australian soil
The question was not if victory would come the game and series, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Historical Significance
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years in his international career included other milestones
Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|