🔗 Share this article 766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of Australia The legendary 766 runs scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series is only bettered by the great Wally Hammond Senior Cricket Correspondent in Brisbane Published just now Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the English team some much-needed hope for the Ashes In the wake of losing to the Australian side during the opening match, the visiting team have to bounce back for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for decades Men wearing three lions have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane The Inspirational Success Within recent memory of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by a shining knight Today commemorates 15 years since Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, saving the first Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades Unforgettable Series It commenced of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs Wally Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals in a series in this country England won 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that historic campaign Cook's Memories "One tends to forget the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers "I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games were won by an innings" The Road to Greatness His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier following that year's Ashes in the UK Despite English victory, Cook had an average below 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century He desired better "While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he explains Game Improvement Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back practicing numerous bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance Early outcomes proved positive The batsman achieved three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh Career-Defining Moments After coming back to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker" Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his highest score totaled just 29 runs On nought not out after day two of the third Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain this would be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission "I found myself at the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses Decisive Instance His century secured his place in the squad down under England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games in Australia Come the first Test at the Gabba, they faced three wickets from Siddle Historic Partnership Just before the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and followed up with a performance etched in Ashes folklore "I don't remember any instructions, our conversations," says Cook The left-handers accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s Total Command The English took advantage of an incredible start during the following Test in South Australia After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement with 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling The Final Triumph England could have retained the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later What followed was arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, on the holiday, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out "For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," says Cook The Final Victory Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney His 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia The debate didn't concern if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when "The environment was electric," Cook remembers "After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to win the match, it represented an instant of absolute joy" Historical Significance Cook was player of the series The remaining seven years of his Test career included other milestones Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket "{I couldn't have played any better|