The Legend of 766 - Cook's Triumph in the Australian Team
Sir Alastair's 766 runs scored by an English batsman in Australian conditions is only bettered by Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the Three Lions some much-needed confidence in the series
Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, England must stir themselves before heading to the famous Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
English cricketers have frequently been easy prey at this challenging venue
Cook's Memorable Success
Throughout modern times of English disappointments, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story delivered by a cricket hero
This marks the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
This marked the start of the victorious Australian campaign; three centuries accumulating 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs in a series on Australian soil
England won 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins
England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook remembers
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 down under with every match was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road to down under success started a year and a half before at the end of that year's Ashes in the UK
Though England triumphed, Cook had an average below 25 with just one score over fifty
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states
Technical Transformation
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back practicing numerous of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance
Early outcomes proved positive
Cook made three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
When Cook returned to British conditions for that year's summer, the left-hander performed poorly
Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs
Without runs following day two during the final Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance prior to selection
"I was sitting at the bar, trying to find the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses
The Turning Point
Cook's 110 ensured his position for the Australian tour
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Historic Partnership
Just before day three's conclusion, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 by day's end then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," Cook remembers
The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket
The 235 without dismissal represented the top score achieved by a Briton down under in eight decades
Complete Control
The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session in the second match in South Australia
After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack
Ultimate Victory
The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later
The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history down under
In Melbourne, the massive stadium of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief when play concluded," says Cook
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more in Sydney
His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the game and series, but the timing
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, that was a time of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
Cook was player of the series
The following seven seasons in his international career included other milestones
Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|