Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in Australia

Brisbane is not a city to give the English team crucial confidence in the series

After defeat by the hosts during the opening match, the visiting team have to bounce back for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades

Players representing England have habitually been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

Cook's Memorable Achievement

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story provided by an exceptional player

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs during a Test series on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

The team hasn't secured a Test here since those glory days

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England triumphed 3-1 down under with every match was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

His journey to down under success commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in England

England won, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 with just one score exceeding half-century

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Technical Transformation

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back at work practicing numerous of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

The initial results showed promise

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

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to England for that year's summer, the batsman performed poorly

Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day's play during the final Test facing Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting at the bar, seeking the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals

Decisive Instance

His century ensured his position on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches in Australia

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the third day's close, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued with a performance engraved in cricket memory

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

The opening pair accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years

Series Dominance

England exploited an astonishing first morning during the following Test at Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to claim triumph, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The subsequent seven years of his Test career included additional achievements

Post-cricket career, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|