The Legend of 766 - When Cook Conquered Down Under

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

In the wake of losing to the hosts during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986

English cricketers have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration delivered by an exceptional player

It is exactly a decade and a half after Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory in Australia over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs in a series down under

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

They have not won a Test here since those glory days

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry that went into that," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 down under and all three games came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

His journey toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier after that year's Ashes on home soil

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 with just one score above 50

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he states

Technical Transformation

Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back practicing numerous bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

Cook made three hundreds during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

Upon his return to England for that year's summer, Cook performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his highest score was 29

Without runs at the end of the second day of the third Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

"There I was in the bar, trying to find the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests down under

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they encountered three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to the third day's close, both batsmen opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs

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

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our discussions," says Cook

The left-handers contributed 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance from an English player down under for 82 years

Series Dominance

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

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

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia

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

"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," says Cook

Series Conclusion

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

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to claim triumph, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years in his international career featured additional achievements

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|