Sir Alastair's 766 runs scored by an English batsman in Australian conditions ranks second only to Wally Hammond
Brisbane hasn't been a location providing England some much-needed Ashes optimism
Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986
Men wearing three lions have often become outmatched opponents at this challenging venue
Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero
This marks a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win down under during recent memory
This marked the start of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs
Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs in a series down under
Victory came 3-1, with all victories by an innings
England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that historic campaign
"People overlook the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls
"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"
Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following the 2009 series in the UK
Despite English victory, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings over fifty
He desired better
"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he explains
Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch
Early outcomes showed promise
Cook made three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh
When Cook returned to British conditions for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"
Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his highest score was 29
Scoreless overnight after the second day's play during the final Test versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission
"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution by drowning sorrows," he confesses
The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat in the squad down under
The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests in Australia
When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick
Just before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs
They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and proceeded with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore
"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook
The left-handers contributed 188 together
His unbeaten 235 represented the top score by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years
England exploited an astonishing first morning of the second Test at Adelaide
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover
The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success with 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling
The English might have secured the urn in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters
What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history in Australia
At the MCG, the massive stadium of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out
"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook
Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG
His 189 helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia
The question was not if victory would come the game and series, but when
"The environment was electric," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to claim triumph, it represented an instant of absolute joy"
Cook was player of the series
The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey included additional achievements
Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements
"{I couldn't have played any better|
Elara is a seasoned writer and digital storyteller with a passion for exploring diverse literary genres and empowering others through words.
