Alastair Cook's impressive 766 from an English player during an Ashes series is only bettered by cricket legend Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England badly required confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to Australia at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves ahead of visiting the Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Men wearing three lions have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir
A Shining Knight's Triumph
Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration delivered by an exceptional player
This marks a decade and a half after Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years
Historic Achievement
It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs
The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals during a Test series on Australian soil
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories
They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days
Cook's Memories
"People overlook the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games came through innings wins"
Journey to Excellence
His journey to down under success started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes in the UK
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings with just one score above 50
He wanted more
"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he notes
Skill Development
Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back practicing numerous bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch
Early outcomes proved positive
He scored three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh
Crucial Turning Points
When Cook returned to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings totaled just 29 runs
Without runs following day two in the third match against Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain it might be his last Test innings prior to selection
"I was sitting in the bar, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he reveals
Critical Moment
Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Record-Breaking Stand
Shortly prior to the end of the third day, both batsmen started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our discussions," says Cook
The left-handers added 188 together
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score from an English player down under in eight decades
Series Dominance
England capitalised on an astonishing first morning of the second Test in South Australia
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement with 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling
Series Conclusion
The English might have secured the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later
The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side were blown away for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG
The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The question was not if victory would come the game and series, but the timing
"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook
"When Tremlett got the last player to claim triumph, it represented an instant of complete happiness"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The subsequent seven years of his Test career were illuminated by other milestones
Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions
"{I couldn't have played any better|
