Sir Alastair's record-breaking 766 scored by an English batsman during an Ashes series was only surpassed by the great Wally Hammond
The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers England crucial hope for the Ashes
In the wake of losing to the hosts in the first Test, England have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades
English cricketers have often become outmatched opponents in Brisbane
Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story provided by an exceptional player
It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades
It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs
Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign down under
England won 3-1, where each success through innings victories
They have not won a Test here since that historic campaign
"You forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects
"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory came through innings wins"
Cook's road to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier at the end of that year's Ashes on home soil
England won, Cook had an average below 25 with just one score over fifty
He sought improvement
"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states
Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he returned practicing numerous bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance
Early outcomes were encouraging
The batsman achieved three hundreds on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh
When Cook returned to England during the 2010 season, the batsman performed poorly
During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his highest score totaled just 29 runs
Without runs after the second day's play during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed it might be his concluding international appearance prior to selection
"I was sitting at the bar, trying to find the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses
Cook's 110 secured his place for the Australian tour
The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games on Australian soil
Come the first Test at the famous ground, they faced a Siddle hat-trick
Just before day three's conclusion, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs
The score stood at 19-0 at stumps then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history
"I cannot recall the messages, our conversations," says Cook
The opening pair contributed 188 in their partnership
His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance by an Englishman down under for 82 years
England exploited an incredible start in the second match in South Australia
When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout
He continued his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling
Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters
The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day in Ashes history on Australian soil
In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98
"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," Cook remembers
Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the SCG
His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings on Australian soil
The debate didn't concern if victory would come both match and urn, rather when
"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook
"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to claim triumph, it represented an instant of absolute joy"
He earned series honors
The remaining seven years of his cricket journey included further accomplishments
Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for services to cricket
"{I couldn't have played any better|
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