766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in Australia

Brisbane is not a city to give England some much-needed hope for the Ashes

After defeat by Australia in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades

Men wearing three lions have often become outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Achievement

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player

This marks the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three hundreds totaling 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

The team hasn't secured a Test victory there since those glory days

Personal Reflections

"People overlook the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil with every match was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

His journey toward Australian glory started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Despite English victory, Cook had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance above 50

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Skill Development

Two days after the triumphant events, he returned practicing numerous bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

He scored three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Pivotal Instances

When Cook returned to England for the 2010 summer, the left-hander performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29

Without runs at the end of the second day of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain it might be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I found myself in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he confesses

Critical Moment

His century ensured his position for the Australian tour

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under

Come the first Test in Brisbane, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

Just before the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," Cook remembers

The opening pair contributed 188 together

His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia for 82 years

Complete Control

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

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

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

Ultimate Victory

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history in Australia

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," Cook remembers

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook was at it again in Sydney

The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their record innings during Australian Tests

The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Legacy and Recognition

He earned series honors

The subsequent seven years in his international career included additional achievements

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|