The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under

The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team badly required Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to the hosts during the opening match, England have to bounce back ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England since 1986

Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero

Today commemorates 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

This marked the start of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs throughout a campaign in this country

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

His journey to down under success commenced well before after the 2009 series in England

Though England triumphed, Cook averaged less than 25 managing only one innings over fifty

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances showed promise

The batsman achieved three centuries during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

When Cook returned to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

Without runs following the second day in the third match facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed it might be his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"There I was at the bar, trying to find the solution through drinking," he confesses

Critical Moment

Cook's 110 ensured his position in the squad down under

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games down under

Come the first Test in Brisbane, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and followed up through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook

The opening pair added 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years

Series Dominance

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

Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics with 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket down under

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

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

Series Conclusion

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to win the match, it was a moment of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his Test career were illuminated by other milestones

Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|