The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under

Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the English team badly required hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for decades

English cricketers have often become easy prey in Brisbane

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight

It is exactly 15 years since the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win down under during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of his successful tour of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals in a series in this country

Victory came 3-1, with all victories by an innings

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the difficult moments, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England triumphed 3-1 in Australia and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

The path to down under success started a year and a half before after the 2009 series on home soil

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman had an average below 25 managing only one innings over fifty

He wanted more

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

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results proved positive

Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to home soil for that year's summer, the batsman performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

On nought not out following the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan in London, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"There I was in the bar, attempting to discover the answer through drinking," he confesses

The Turning Point

His century secured his place on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games on Australian soil

When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

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

They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

The left-handers added 188 together

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score from an English player down under since the 1930s

Series Dominance

England capitalised on an astonishing first morning in the second match in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

Then came possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket in Australia

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Driven by determination to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

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

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to secure victory, that was a time of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years in his international career included further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he was honored for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|