766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of Down Under

The Queensland capital isn't a city to give England badly required Ashes optimism

Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, the visiting team have to bounce back for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have habitually been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test during that famous 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 Australian campaign; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs throughout a campaign down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories by an innings

They have not won a Test victory there since that historic campaign

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games came through innings wins"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road to down under success commenced well before following the 2009 Ashes on home soil

England won, the opener averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He sought improvement

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he explains

Skill Development

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

Early outcomes showed promise

Cook made three hundreds during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to England during the 2010 season, the batsman struggled significantly

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29

Without runs after day two of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"I found myself in the bar, attempting to discover the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one in practice matches in Australia

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and proceeded with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

"I cannot recall the messages, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

The left-handers added 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance from an English player on Australian soil for 82 years

Total Command

England capitalised on a remarkable opening session of the second Test in Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

Then came arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief when play concluded," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their best score on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to win the match, that was a time of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey featured further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|