The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of Down Under
The legendary 766 runs from an English player on an Ashes tour ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a location providing England some much-needed confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to the Australian side at the series start, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986
Players representing England have often become easy prey at this challenging venue
A Shining Knight's Triumph
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story achieved by a cricket hero
It is exactly 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win in Australia in the past 38 years
Record-Breaking Performance
It commenced of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs throughout a campaign in this country
England won 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins
They have not won a Test here since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"You forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook remembers
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"
Journey to Excellence
His journey toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 Ashes in England
Though England triumphed, the opener had an average below 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he states
Game Improvement
Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back facing countless of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
The initial results showed promise
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
Upon his return to home soil during the 2010 season, the left-hander performed poorly
In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29
Without runs at the end of the second day's play during the final Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed it might be his concluding international appearance prior to selection
"I was sitting in the bar, seeking the solution through drinking," he reveals
The Turning Point
The 110-run innings secured his place in the squad down under
Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests in Australia
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, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore
"I don't remember specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The left-handers added 188 together
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil since the 1930s
Complete Control
England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
Cook followed up his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later
Then came arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition in Australia
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the Australian team were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," says Cook
Ultimate Success
Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia
The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but the timing
"The environment was electric," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to win the match, it represented an instant of absolute joy"
Enduring Impact
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by further accomplishments
Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|