Sir Alastair's impressive 766 by an Englishman on an Ashes tour ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing England badly required Ashes optimism
In the wake of losing to Australia at the series start, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
Players representing England have frequently been easy prey at the Gabbatoir
A Shining Knight's Success
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story achieved by a cricket hero
This marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match during that famous series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil during recent memory
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three centuries totaling 766 runs
Wally Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals during a Test series on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, with all victories through innings victories
They have not won a Test here since that memorable series
Personal Reflections
"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook recalls
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil where each victory were won by an innings"
Journey to Excellence
His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier after that year's Ashes in England
England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he explains
Game Improvement
Two days after the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch
Beginning performances were encouraging
Cook made three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
After coming back to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29
On nought not out at the end of the second day's play in the third match versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission
"I found myself in the bar, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he admits
Critical Moment
His century guaranteed his seat in the squad down under
Preparation continued through successful warm-ups in practice matches down under
Come the first Test in Brisbane, they encountered three wickets from Siddle
Historic Partnership
Just before day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and proceeded through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook
The left-handers added 188 in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman on Australian soil for 82 years
Complete Control
England exploited an astonishing first morning in the second match at Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
The English might have secured the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under
In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney
The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia
The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the match and the Ashes, but when
"The environment was electric," Cook remembers
"When Tremlett got the last player to claim triumph, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Legacy and Recognition
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey featured other milestones
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|
