The Legend of 766 - Cook's Dominance of Australia

The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the English team badly required confidence in the series

Following the loss to Australia in the first Test, the tourists must stir themselves before heading to the famous Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986

Players representing England have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Triumph

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight

It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory down under during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs during a Test series down under

Victory came 3-1, where each success by an innings

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

Personal Reflections

"You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England won 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory were won by an innings"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier following the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Despite English victory, Cook averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he explains

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances were encouraging

Cook made three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, the left-hander performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day's play in the third match against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance prior to selection

"There I was at the bar, attempting to discover the solution 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 during preparatory contests on Australian soil

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and followed up with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember any instructions, our discussions," Cook remembers

The opening pair added 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years

Total Command

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

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side were dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief as the day ended," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook excelled once more in Sydney

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern if England would win the game and series, but when

"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, that was a time of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The subsequent seven years of his Test career were illuminated by other milestones

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|