🔗 Share this article 766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team The legendary 766 runs scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond Lead Cricket Journalist based in Brisbane Released 45 minutes ago The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed confidence in the series Following the loss to Australia in the first Test, the visiting team need to regroup before heading to the famous Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986 English cricketers have habitually been easy prey at the Gabbatoir The Inspirational Success Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale provided by a cricket hero This marks 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 without loss, saving the first Test during that famous series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win in Australia over nearly four decades Historic Achievement It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three centuries totaling 766 runs Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs during a Test series down under Victory came 3-1, where each success through innings victories They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days Looking Back "One tends to forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers "I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a series when England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games came through innings wins" Path to Success The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after that year's Ashes in the UK Despite English victory, the opener had an average below 25 with just one score above 50 He sought improvement "Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains Game Improvement Two days after the triumphant events, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch Beginning performances were encouraging The batsman achieved three centuries during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams Career-Defining Moments When Cook returned to British conditions for the 2010 summer, the left-hander had a "stinker" Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29 Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day in the third match against Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings before being dropped "I found myself in the hospitality area, seeking the answer by drowning sorrows," he reveals Decisive Instance His century guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one in practice matches in Australia Come the first Test at the Gabba, they encountered three wickets from Siddle Historic Partnership Shortly prior to the third day's close, both batsmen started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded then continued with a performance engraved in cricket memory "My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," Cook remembers The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket Cook's 235 not out represented the top score by an Englishman down under for 82 years Complete Control The English took advantage of an incredible start during the following Test in Adelaide Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered Cook followed up his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling The Final Triumph Victory was possible the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later Then came perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history down under In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98 "If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," recalls Cook Series Conclusion Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score in a Test in Australia The question was not whether England would triumph the game and series, but when "The environment was electric," recalls Cook "When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, it represented an instant of absolute joy" Enduring Impact Cook was player of the series The remaining seven years of his Test career included further accomplishments Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions "{I couldn't have played any better|