Alastair Cook's impressive 766 scored by an English batsman in Australian conditions ranks second only to Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the Three Lions crucial Ashes optimism
In the wake of losing to the Australian side in the first Test, the tourists need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades
Players representing England have often become outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir
A Shining Knight's Triumph
Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by an exceptional player
This marks a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades
Historic Achievement
This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three centuries totaling 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals in a series down under
The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins
They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign
Looking Back
"You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook remembers
"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games were won by an innings"
Path to Success
His journey to down under success commenced well before at the end of that year's Ashes in the UK
England won, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty
He desired better
"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states
Game Improvement
Shortly after the victory celebrations, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance
Early outcomes proved positive
The batsman achieved three hundreds on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams
Career-Defining Moments
Upon his return to England during the 2010 season, Cook struggled significantly
In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs
Without runs after day two during the final Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain it might be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission
"There I was in the hospitality area, trying to find the answer by drowning sorrows," he reveals
The Turning Point
His century secured his place in the squad down under
England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under
When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and proceeded through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore
"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our conversations," says Cook
The left-handers accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket
His unbeaten 235 was the highest score from an English player on Australian soil for 82 years
Total Command
England capitalised on an astonishing first morning of the second Test at Adelaide
After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers
Series Conclusion
The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later
Then came arguably England's best performance in Ashes history on Australian soil
At the MCG, the massive stadium of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," recalls Cook
Series Conclusion
Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but when
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to claim triumph, it was a moment of complete happiness"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons of his Test career featured other milestones
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|