🔗 Share this article The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of Down Under Sir Alastair's 766 runs scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series is only bettered by Wally Hammond Lead Cricket Journalist based in Brisbane Released recently The Queensland capital isn't a city to give England some much-needed confidence in the series Following the loss to the hosts in the first Test, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where England have not won for over thirty years English cricketers have habitually been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane The Inspirational Triumph Throughout modern times of English disappointments, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration provided by a cricket hero Today commemorates a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 without loss, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades Historic Achievement It was the beginning of his successful Australian campaign; three centuries and 766 runs Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs throughout a campaign in this country England won 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that memorable series Looking Back "You forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook recalls "I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under where each victory were won by an innings" Path to Success His journey toward Australian glory commenced well before following the 2009 series in England Despite English victory, Cook averaged less than 25 managing only one innings over fifty He desired better "Cricket is a team game, personal performance creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he states Skill Development Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch The initial results showed promise The batsman achieved three centuries during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh Crucial Turning Points Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, Cook performed poorly In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29 On nought not out at the end of the second day's play in the third match facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission "I was sitting in the bar, trying to find the resolution through drinking," he reveals Decisive Instance Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests in Australia Come the first Test at the famous ground, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle Memorable Collaboration Just before the third day's close, both batsmen began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs The score stood at 19-0 by day's end then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history "I don't remember the messages, our conversations," recalls Cook The opening pair accumulated 188 runs in their partnership The 235 without dismissal was the highest score by an Englishman in Australia since the 1930s Complete Control England exploited an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered He continued his Brisbane success with 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack The Final Triumph Victory was possible the urn in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98 "If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," Cook remembers Ultimate Success Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more in Sydney His 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the game and series, rather when "The environment was electric," says Cook "Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness" Legacy and Recognition He earned series honors The remaining seven years in his international career included additional achievements After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for services to cricket "{I couldn't have played any better|