766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in Down Under

The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to the Australian side during the opening match, the visiting team must stir themselves ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades

English cricketers have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero

It is exactly 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It commenced of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series down under

England won 3-1, with all victories by an innings

They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

His journey to his Australian epic started a year and a half before at the end of that year's Ashes in the UK

England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings above 50

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he explains

Technical Transformation

Two days after the celebrations, he returned facing countless bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

He scored three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to England during the 2010 season, the batsman performed poorly

Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29

Without runs following the second day's play in the third match versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I found myself at the bar, seeking the answer through drinking," he admits

Decisive Instance

Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat in the squad down under

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests down under

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the end of the third day, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook

The opening pair added 188 in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score from an English player down under since the 1930s

Complete Control

The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session during the following Test at Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

England could have retained the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters

Then came arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition in Australia

At the MCG, the massive stadium of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total during Australian Tests

The debate didn't concern if England would win the game and series, rather when

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to secure victory, that was a time of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years of his Test career featured further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|