The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under

The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers England some much-needed hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to Australia at the series start, England need to regroup ahead of visiting the Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

Players representing England have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

The Inspirational Triumph

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story delivered by an exceptional player

This marks 15 years since the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It commenced of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals in a series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil where each victory was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

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

England won, the opener had an average below 25 with just one score exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he notes

Skill Development

Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance

Early outcomes proved positive

He scored three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, Cook struggled significantly

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

Scoreless overnight after the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

"I found myself in the hospitality area, trying to find the resolution by drowning sorrows," he reveals

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings ensured his position on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games on Australian soil

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

An hour before day three's conclusion, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

The opening pair added 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score achieved by a Briton in Australia for 82 years

Total Command

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

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

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

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history in Australia

At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," recalls Cook

Series Conclusion

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more in Sydney

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score on Australian soil

The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the game and series, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got the final batsman to claim triumph, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons in his international career featured additional achievements

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|