The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of Australia
The legendary 766 runs from an English player during an Ashes series ranks second only to Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes
After defeat by the Australian side during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for decades
Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane
The Inspirational Success
Among a recent history of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight
Today commemorates 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil during recent memory
Historic Achievement
It was the beginning of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil
The English triumphed 3-1, where each success through innings victories
The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign
Looking Back
"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers
"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match were won by an innings"
Path to Success
The path to down under success began 18 months earlier following the 2009 Ashes on home soil
England won, the opening batsman had an average below 25 with just one score over fifty
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states
Game Improvement
Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back at work practicing numerous of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
Early outcomes were encouraging
Cook made three hundreds during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
After coming back to England for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly
In eight innings facing these opponents, his highest score reached only 29
Without runs after the second day in the third match facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced it might be his last Test innings prior to selection
"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals
Critical Moment
The 110-run innings secured his place in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests in Australia
When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
An hour before the end of the third day, both batsmen started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our discussions," Cook remembers
The opening pair added 188 in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton down under since the 1930s
Series Dominance
England capitalised on a remarkable opening session during the following Test in Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers
The Final Triumph
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters
Then came possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket in Australia
In Melbourne, the massive stadium of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," Cook remembers
Ultimate Success
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney
The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their record innings during Australian Tests
The question was not if England would win both match and urn, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of absolute joy"
Legacy and Recognition
The batsman received top accolades
The following seven seasons in his international career featured further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, he was honored for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|