Remembering 766 - When Cook Conquered Australia

Brisbane is not a location providing the English team badly required hope for the Ashes

After defeat by the hosts at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for decades

Players representing England have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

The Inspirational Success

Within recent memory of English disappointments, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight

Today commemorates 15 years since Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course toward their sole series victory in Australia over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs in a series in this country

England won 3-1, where each success by an innings

They have not won a Test here since those glory days

Cook's Memories

"You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 down under and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

Cook's road to down under success started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes in England

Despite English victory, Cook scored under 25 per innings with just one score exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he explains

Skill Development

Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances showed promise

Cook made three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook struggled significantly

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

Without runs at the end of day two during the final Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance before being dropped

"I found myself at the bar, attempting to discover the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings ensured his position on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests on Australian soil

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

Just before the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and proceeded through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," Cook remembers

The opening pair accumulated 188 runs together

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years

Complete Control

England exploited a remarkable opening session in the second match in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

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

Then came possibly England's finest day in Ashes history on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," says Cook

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score during Australian Tests

The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to claim triumph, that was a time of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years of his Test career were illuminated by further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|