Alastair Cook's 766 runs from an English player during an Ashes series was only surpassed by cricket legend Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the English team crucial hope for the Ashes
Following the loss to the Australian side in the first Test, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986
Men wearing three lions have often become easy prey in Brisbane
Cook's Memorable Success
Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story achieved by an exceptional player
It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil in the past 38 years
Unforgettable Series
It was the beginning of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundreds totaling 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals in a series on Australian soil
Victory came 3-1, with every win through innings victories
They have not won a Test here since that memorable series
Looking Back
"People overlook the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook remembers
"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"
The Road to Greatness
His journey to down under success started a year and a half before after the 2009 series in England
England won, the opener averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century
He wanted more
"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he notes
Technical Transformation
Two days after the triumphant events, he was back practicing numerous of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch
The initial results proved positive
He scored three centuries on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
When Cook returned to home soil for that year's summer, Cook struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his highest score reached only 29
Scoreless overnight at the end of day two in the third match facing Pakistan in London, Cook believed he was playing his final Test performance prior to selection
"I found myself at the bar, trying to find the resolution through drinking," he admits
Decisive Instance
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour
Preparation continued through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests in Australia
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Memorable Collaboration
Just before day three's conclusion, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 at stumps and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers
Both left-handed batsmen added 188 in their partnership
The 235 without dismissal was the highest score achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s
Series Dominance
The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning of the second Test in South Australia
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover
Cook followed up his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling
Series Conclusion
The English might have secured the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later
Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia
At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again in Sydney
The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their best score in a Test in Australia
The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, but when
"The environment was electric," Cook remembers
"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to secure victory, it represented an instant of complete happiness"
Historical Significance
He earned series honors
The following seven seasons in his international career were illuminated by other milestones
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|
