Alastair Cook's impressive 766 scored by an English batsman in Australian conditions is only bettered by cricket legend Wally Hammond
Brisbane is not a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed confidence in the series
In the wake of losing to the Australian side during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years
Men wearing three lions have habitually been easy prey at the Gabbatoir
The Inspirational Triumph
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story delivered by a shining knight
This marks 15 years since Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil during recent memory
Record-Breaking Performance
It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs
The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals throughout a campaign in this country
Victory came 3-1, where each success through innings victories
They have not won a Test here since that memorable series
Looking Back
"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers
"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory were won by an innings"
The Road to Greatness
The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes in England
Though England triumphed, Cook had an average below 25 managing only one innings over fifty
He wanted more
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he states
Skill Development
Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch
Beginning performances were encouraging
The batsman achieved three centuries on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh
Career-Defining Moments
When Cook returned to England for the 2010 summer, the batsman struggled significantly
During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his top innings reached only 29
Without runs at the end of day two during the final Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance before being dropped
"I was sitting at the bar, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits
Decisive Instance
His century secured his place on the plane to Australia
The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches on Australian soil
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they encountered three wickets from Siddle
Historic Partnership
Just before day three's conclusion, the opening pair started the English reply trailing by 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our discussions," says Cook
The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket
Cook's 235 not out represented the top score from an English player on Australian soil in eight decades
Complete Control
England exploited a remarkable opening session of the second Test in South Australia
Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover
He continued his Queensland achievement with 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling
Ultimate Victory
Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters
What followed was possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket in Australia
At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," Cook remembers
The Final Victory
Driven by determination to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground
His 189 lifted England to 644, their best score during Australian Tests
The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when
"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook
"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to claim triumph, it represented an instant of absolute joy"
Historical Significance
The batsman received top accolades
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey featured further accomplishments
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|
