766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of Australia
Sir Alastair's record-breaking 766 by an Englishman during an Ashes series is only bettered by the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England badly required Ashes optimism
In the wake of losing to the Australian side during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England since 1986
Players representing England have habitually been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
The Inspirational Achievement
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero
It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three centuries accumulating 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
England won 3-1, with every win by an innings
They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series
Cook's Memories
"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook remembers
"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"
Path to Success
Cook's road to his Australian epic started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes on home soil
England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance over fifty
He sought improvement
"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he explains
Skill Development
Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes were encouraging
Cook made three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
When Cook returned to England for that year's summer, Cook had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings reached only 29
Without runs after 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
"I was sitting in the bar, seeking the resolution through drinking," he admits
The Turning Point
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests on Australian soil
When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall specific guidance, our discussions," says Cook
The left-handers contributed 188 in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman on Australian soil for 82 years
Complete Control
England capitalised on an astonishing first morning in the second match at Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition in Australia
At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief when play concluded," Cook remembers
Ultimate Success
Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again in Sydney
His 189 helped England reach 644, their best score on Australian soil
The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph both match and urn, rather when
"The environment was electric," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Enduring Impact
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years in his international career were illuminated by other milestones
After retiring internationally, he was honored for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|