Remembering 766 - Cook's Triumph in Down Under

Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions crucial confidence in the series

Following the loss to Australia at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades

English cricketers have frequently been easy prey at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Triumph

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight

Today commemorates 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win in Australia over nearly four decades

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs in a series on Australian soil

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

"You forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil with every match came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road to down under success began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 Ashes in the UK

England won, the opening batsman had an average below 25 with just one score above 50

He wanted more

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

Game Improvement

Two days after the triumphant events, he returned facing countless deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

The batsman achieved three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Career-Defining Moments

Upon his return to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

Without runs following day two in the third match against Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting at the bar, trying to find the resolution by drowning sorrows," he admits

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings secured his place in the squad down under

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 faced a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall specific guidance, our discussions," Cook remembers

The opening pair added 188 together

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance by an Englishman in Australia in eight decades

Complete Control

England capitalised on an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

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

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

Then came arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook was at it again in Sydney

His 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings on Australian soil

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

"The environment was electric," Cook remembers

"When Tremlett got the final batsman to claim triumph, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The subsequent seven years in his international career featured additional achievements

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|