Sir Alastair's impressive 766 from an English player in Australian conditions ranks second only to Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes
In the wake of losing to the Australian side in the first Test, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue
The Inspirational Triumph
Within recent memory of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story delivered by a shining knight
Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil over nearly four decades
Historic Achievement
This marked the start of the victorious tour of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil
England won 3-1, with all victories by an innings
The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign
Looking Back
"You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook recalls
"I look back with pride. I played a significant part during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match came through innings wins"
The Road to Greatness
Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before after the 2009 Ashes in England
Though England triumphed, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty
He sought improvement
"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he explains
Skill Development
Shortly after the triumphant events, he returned practicing numerous deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes were encouraging
The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
Pivotal Instances
After coming back to England for that year's summer, Cook struggled significantly
In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29
Without runs at the end of the second day in the third match versus Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings ahead of potential omission
"I was sitting in the bar, trying to find the resolution through drinking," he admits
Decisive Instance
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat in the squad down under
England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under
When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they encountered three wickets from Siddle
Historic Partnership
Shortly prior to the end of the third day, both batsmen began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs
They reached 19-0 at stumps and followed up through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory
"I don't remember the messages, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook
Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 for the first wicket
The 235 without dismissal was the highest score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years
Series Dominance
England exploited an astonishing first morning of the second Test in Adelaide
Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered
The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement with 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling
Series Conclusion
Victory was possible the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later
What followed was arguably England's best performance in Ashes history down under
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook was at it again in Sydney
The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook
"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to secure victory, it represented an instant of pure elation"
Legacy and Recognition
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years of his Test career were illuminated by further accomplishments
After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|
