Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under

Brisbane hasn't been a city to give England some much-needed hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986

Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale achieved by a cricket hero

It is exactly 15 years since the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph down under in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs in a series in this country

Victory came 3-1, where each success by an innings

The team hasn't secured a Test victory there since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a series when England triumphed 3-1 in Australia with every match came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road to down under success started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes in the UK

Despite English victory, Cook averaged less than 25 managing only one innings above 50

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Game Improvement

Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back practicing numerous bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance

Early outcomes were encouraging

He scored three hundred-run innings during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, Cook struggled significantly

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29

Scoreless overnight at the end of day two in the third match versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain he was playing his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"I found myself at the bar, seeking the resolution through drinking," he reveals

Decisive Instance

Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and proceeded through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"I don't remember specific guidance, our discussions," recalls Cook

The left-handers contributed 188 for the first wicket

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score from an English player on Australian soil for 82 years

Series Dominance

England exploited a remarkable opening session of the second Test in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane success with 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

England could have retained the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," says Cook

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook was at it again in Sydney

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score during Australian Tests

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to secure victory, it represented an instant of pure elation"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years in his international career were illuminated by additional achievements

After retiring internationally, he was honored for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|