🔗 Share this article 766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of the Australian Team Sir Alastair's record-breaking 766 scored by an English batsman on an Ashes tour was only surpassed by Wally Hammond Lead Cricket Journalist based in Brisbane Released just now Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed confidence in the series In the wake of losing to the hosts in the first Test, England have to bounce back ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years English cricketers have often become lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir The Inspirational Achievement Among a recent history of English disappointments, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story delivered by a shining knight Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, saving the first Test of 2010-11 paving England's path toward their sole series victory in Australia over nearly four decades Unforgettable Series It commenced of the victorious Australian campaign; three centuries totaling 766 runs Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals during a Test series in this country England won 3-1, where each success by an innings England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that historic campaign Personal Reflections "People overlook the challenging periods, the tension and worry that went into that," Cook remembers "With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match was achieved comprehensively" The Road to Greatness The path to down under success commenced well before after the 2009 series in England England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings above 50 He sought improvement "Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains Technical Transformation Shortly after the celebrations, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch Beginning performances showed promise The batsman achieved three hundreds during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh Career-Defining Moments Upon his return to England during the 2010 season, the left-hander struggled significantly Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29 Scoreless overnight after the second day of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance prior to selection "I was sitting in the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses The Turning Point The 110-run innings secured his place on the plane to Australia The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games on Australian soil When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick Memorable Collaboration Shortly prior to the third day's close, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory "I cannot recall the messages, our discussions," Cook remembers The opening pair accumulated 188 runs in their partnership Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s Series Dominance The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning of the second Test at Adelaide When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success with 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack The Final Triumph England could have retained the urn in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later What followed was possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket on Australian soil In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, on the holiday, the Australian team were blown away for 98 "If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief as the day ended," recalls Cook Ultimate Success Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their record innings during Australian Tests The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but when "The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers "After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to secure victory, it represented an instant of complete happiness" Legacy and Recognition Cook was player of the series The following seven seasons in his international career were illuminated by additional achievements Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for services to cricket "{I couldn't have played any better|