🔗 Share this article

Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed Ashes optimism

After defeat by Australia during the opening match, the visiting team have to bounce back for a trip to the Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986

Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

The Inspirational Triumph

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story achieved by a cricket hero

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, saving the first Test of 2010-11 paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph down under in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil

England won 3-1, with all victories by an innings

The team hasn't secured a Test victory there since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the challenging periods, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 down under where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

The path toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes in the UK

Despite English victory, the opener averaged less than 25 with just one score over fifty

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he returned facing countless deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

Early outcomes showed promise

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to home soil during the 2010 season, the left-hander performed poorly

Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings was 29

On nought not out after the second day's play in the third match versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission

"I found myself in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals

The Turning Point

His century guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under

When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they faced a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, the opening pair began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook

The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s

Complete Control

England exploited an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," says Cook

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their best score on Australian soil

The question was not if England would win the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The subsequent seven years of his Test career included additional achievements

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|