The Legend of 766 - Cook's Triumph in Australia

Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the Three Lions badly required hope for the Ashes

After defeat by the Australian side in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for decades

Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

Cook's Memorable Success

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero

This marks a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test during that famous series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win down under over nearly four decades

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs throughout a campaign in this country

England won 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

They have not won a Test victory there since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"You forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"

Path to Success

Cook's road to down under success commenced well before at the end of that year's Ashes in the UK

Despite English victory, the opener averaged less than 25 managing only one innings above 50

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he explains

Game Improvement

Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back facing countless bowls during training with Graham Gooch

The initial results proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to British conditions for the 2010 summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

On nought not out at the end of the second day in the third match versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain he was playing his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting at the bar, seeking the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the third day's close, both batsmen started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and proceeded with a performance remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

The left-handers contributed 188 in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil in eight decades

Complete Control

The English took advantage of an incredible start of the second Test in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

He continued his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

What followed was possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the MCG, the enormous ground of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief as the day ended," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their highest total during Australian Tests

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

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The remaining seven years of his Test career included additional achievements

After retiring internationally, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|