Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Australia

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

In the wake of losing to the hosts during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have often become easy prey at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Achievement

Among a recent history of English disappointments, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by a cricket hero

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Record-Breaking Performance

It commenced of his successful Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs

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

Victory came 3-1, with every win by an innings

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

Cook's Memories

"You forget the tough times, the tension and worry that went into that," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part during a campaign where England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings"

Journey to Excellence

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

England won, Cook scored under 25 per innings with just one score exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he notes

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back at work practicing numerous deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances were encouraging

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

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to British conditions for the 2010 summer, the batsman performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight after day two in the third match facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance before being dropped

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the solution through drinking," he reveals

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 secured his place for the Australian tour

Preparation continued through successful warm-ups in practice matches down under

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history

"I don't remember specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 together

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score by an Englishman down under since the 1930s

Complete Control

England capitalised on an incredible start of the second Test in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Queensland achievement with 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition in Australia

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief when play concluded," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The question was not if England would win the game and series, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to claim triumph, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The remaining seven years of his cricket journey featured other milestones

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|