🔗 Share this article

Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the Three Lions some much-needed confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to the Australian side during the opening match, England need to regroup for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England since 1986

Players representing England have frequently been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane

The Inspirational Success

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story achieved by an exceptional player

This marks the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs in a series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that historic campaign

Personal Reflections

"You forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

His journey toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following the 2009 series in England

England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance above 50

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Skill Development

Two days after the celebrations, he returned practicing numerous deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to England for the 2010 summer, the batsman had a "stinker"

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight after day two in the third match against Pakistan in London, Cook believed he was playing his last Test innings before being dropped

"I found myself in the hospitality area, trying to find the solution by drowning sorrows," he confesses

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat in the squad down under

Preparation continued through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games on Australian soil

When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before day three's conclusion, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player on Australian soil for 82 years

Complete Control

England capitalised on an incredible start in the second match in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

England could have retained the urn in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

What followed was possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket down under

At the MCG, the massive stadium of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to win the match, it represented an instant of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his Test career included further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he was honored for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|