766 and All That - Cook's Dominance of Australia

Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the English team badly required confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to the Australian side in the first Test, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

Players representing England have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Success

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale achieved by an exceptional player

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory in Australia during recent memory

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals during a Test series on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

The path toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of that year's Ashes in England

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

He wanted more

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Technical Transformation

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back facing countless of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Early outcomes proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundreds during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to British conditions during the 2010 season, the left-hander had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

Scoreless overnight after the second day during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced he was playing his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission

"I found myself in the hospitality area, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he admits

Decisive Instance

His century ensured his position for the Australian tour

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games in Australia

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to the third day's close, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall specific guidance, our conversations," recalls Cook

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs together

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman on Australian soil for 82 years

Series Dominance

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

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

England could have retained the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

What followed was possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition in Australia

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," says Cook

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

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

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to win the match, it represented an instant of pure elation"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The subsequent seven years of his Test career included other milestones

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|