Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under

Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers England some much-needed Ashes optimism

After defeat by Australia during the opening match, England have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades

English cricketers have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Within recent memory of English disappointments, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale delivered by a cricket hero

It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

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

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories

They have not won a Test here since those glory days

Cook's Memories

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match were won by an innings"

Path to Success

His journey toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes in England

England won, Cook averaged less than 25 with just one score exceeding half-century

He wanted more

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

Game Improvement

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

Beginning performances proved positive

He scored three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to England during the 2010 season, Cook performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29

Scoreless overnight after the second day in the third match against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

"I found myself in the bar, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he reveals

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 ensured his position in the squad down under

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests in Australia

As the opening match began at the famous ground, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our conversations," recalls Cook

The opening pair added 188 together

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia since the 1930s

Total Command

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

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics with 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the urn in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later

What followed was possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket down under

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His 189 helped England reach 644, their best score during Australian Tests

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

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

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

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years in his international career were illuminated by other milestones

After retiring internationally, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|