🔗 Share this article The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered the Australian Team Alastair Cook's impressive 766 from an English player during an Ashes series ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond Chief Cricket Reporter reporting from Brisbane Posted just now Brisbane is not a city to give the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes After defeat by the Australian side at the series start, England need to regroup for a trip to the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for over thirty years Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane A Shining Knight's Achievement Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by a cricket hero Today commemorates 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph down under over nearly four decades Unforgettable Series It was the beginning of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs in a series down under Victory came 3-1, where each success by an innings They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series Looking Back "You forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry that went into that," the cricketer reflects "I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 in Australia and all three games came through innings wins" Journey to Excellence The path to his Australian epic commenced well before after that year's Ashes in the UK England won, Cook averaged less than 25 with just one score over fifty He sought improvement "Cricket is a team game, personal performance creates the sensation that you must contribute adequately," he states Game Improvement Shortly after the victory celebrations, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch Beginning performances proved positive Cook made three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh Crucial Turning Points Upon his return to home soil for the 2010 summer, the left-hander had a "stinker" During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29 Without runs following the second day during the final Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced he was playing his concluding international appearance before being dropped "I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the resolution through drinking," he confesses Decisive Instance The 110-run innings secured his place on the plane to Australia The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under As the opening match began at the famous ground, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick Memorable Collaboration Shortly prior to the end of the third day, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and followed up through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history "My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our conversations," Cook remembers The left-handers accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years Total Command England exploited a remarkable opening session of the second Test in South Australia After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics with 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling Series Conclusion Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later What followed was arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket down under At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98 "If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," Cook remembers The Final Victory Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia The question was not whether England would triumph both match and urn, but the timing "The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook "When Tremlett got Michael Beer to win the match, it represented an instant of absolute joy" Historical Significance The batsman received top accolades The following seven seasons in his international career featured additional achievements After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements "{I couldn't have played any better|