🔗 Share this article The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered the Australian Team The legendary 766 runs from an English player in Australian conditions ranks second only to Wally Hammond Lead Cricket Journalist reporting from Brisbane Released recently The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the English team some much-needed Ashes optimism After defeat by the Australian side in the first Test, England have to bounce back before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986 English cricketers have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane Cook's Memorable Triumph Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by an exceptional player Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match during that famous series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win in Australia in the past 38 years Unforgettable Series This marked the start of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs throughout a campaign in this country Victory came 3-1, with all victories through innings victories They have not won a Test here since those glory days Looking Back "You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook remembers "I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings" Path to Success Cook's road to his Australian epic commenced well before following the 2009 series in the UK Despite English victory, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 with just one score exceeding half-century He wanted more "While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he explains Technical Transformation Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back practicing numerous deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance Beginning performances were encouraging He scored three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh Career-Defining Moments When Cook returned to England during the 2010 season, Cook struggled significantly Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his best performance reached only 29 On nought not out after day two in the third match facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance before being dropped "I found myself in the bar, seeking the answer by drowning sorrows," he confesses Critical Moment Cook's 110 ensured his position on the plane to Australia The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games on Australian soil When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick Record-Breaking Stand An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and followed up through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore "I don't remember any instructions, our discussions," says Cook Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 for the first wicket Cook's 235 not out was the highest score from an English player in Australia for 82 years Series Dominance England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test in Adelaide Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered He continued his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers The Final Triumph Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out "If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," says Cook The Final Victory Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia The question was not whether England would triumph the game and series, rather when "The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook "Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of pure elation" Legacy and Recognition The batsman received top accolades The following seven seasons in his international career featured other milestones After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements "{I couldn't have played any better|