The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of the Australian Team

Brisbane hasn't been a city to give England some much-needed Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to the hosts at the series start, the visiting team need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for over thirty years

English cricketers have often become outmatched opponents at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero

It is exactly 15 years since the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match during that famous series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals in a series in this country

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

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since those glory days

Looking Back

"You forget the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series in the UK

Despite English victory, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Technical Transformation

Two days after the celebrations, he returned practicing numerous deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

The batsman achieved three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to home soil during the 2010 season, the left-hander had a "stinker"

In eight innings facing these opponents, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

On nought not out following day two during the final Test against Pakistan in London, Cook believed this would be his last Test innings before being dropped

"I was sitting at the bar, seeking 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 by winning two and drawing one in practice matches down under

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they faced a Siddle hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our conversations," Cook remembers

The opening pair accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman on Australian soil for 82 years

Total Command

England exploited a remarkable opening session during the following Test in Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters

What followed was arguably England's best performance in Ashes history down under

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook was at it again in Sydney

The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil

The question was not if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of complete happiness"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons in his international career included additional achievements

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|