The legendary impressive 766 scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series ranks second only to the great Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a place that offers the English team some much-needed confidence in the series
Following the loss to the hosts during the opening match, England need to regroup for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Players representing England have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane
Among a recent history of English disappointments, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration provided by a shining knight
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, saving the first Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years
It was the beginning of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs during a Test series down under
England won 3-1, with every win through innings victories
The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that memorable series
"People overlook the tough times, the tension and worry that went into that," Cook remembers
"I look back with pride. I played a significant part during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 down under where each victory were won by an innings"
His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier following the 2009 Ashes in England
England won, the opener had an average below 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he notes
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he returned facing countless deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance
The initial results were encouraging
The batsman achieved three hundreds on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh
When Cook returned to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his highest score reached only 29
On nought not out after the second day during the final Test versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain this would be his last Test innings before being dropped
"I found myself in the bar, trying to find the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits
Cook's 110 secured his place in the squad down under
England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games in Australia
Come the first Test at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Just before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs
They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued with a performance engraved in cricket memory
"I don't remember the messages, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers
Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 together
The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s
England exploited an incredible start during the following Test at Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout
He continued his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack
England could have retained the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket on Australian soil
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief when play concluded," recalls Cook
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their highest total during Australian Tests
The debate didn't concern if England would win the match and the Ashes, rather when
"The environment was electric," says Cook
"When Tremlett got the last player to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Cook was player of the series
The remaining seven years of his Test career featured other milestones
Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|
Elara is a financial strategist with over a decade of experience in wealth management and entrepreneurship.
