766 and All That - Cook's Triumph in Australia

Brisbane hasn't been a location providing 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 famous Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986

Men wearing three lions have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Success

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale delivered by a cricket hero

This marks 15 years since the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals during a Test series in this country

The English triumphed 3-1, where each success by an innings

They have not won a Test victory there since that memorable series

Looking Back

"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under where each victory were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

His journey to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier following the 2009 series in the UK

England won, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he states

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances showed promise

Cook made three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook had a "stinker"

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29

Without runs at the end of day two in the third match facing Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain it might be his concluding international appearance prior to selection

"I found myself in the bar, seeking the resolution by drowning sorrows," he reveals

Decisive Instance

Cook's 110 ensured his position on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches on Australian soil

When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they encountered three wickets from Siddle

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the end of the third day, both batsmen began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded then continued with a performance remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our discussions," Cook remembers

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years

Series Dominance

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

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered

He continued his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, 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 uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the game and series, rather when

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years in his international career featured additional achievements

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|