🔗 Share this article

Brisbane hasn't been a city to give England some much-needed Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986

Men wearing three lions have often become outmatched opponents in Brisbane

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story delivered by an exceptional player

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course toward their sole series victory in Australia during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals in a series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series

Looking Back

"You forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

The path toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes in England

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance over fifty

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he states

Skill Development

Shortly after the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances were encouraging

He scored three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook had a "stinker"

In eight innings facing these opponents, his top innings was 29

Without runs after the second day in the third match facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"I found myself in the bar, trying to find the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

Critical Moment

Cook's 110 ensured his position on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Just before the third day's close, both batsmen opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and followed up with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"I cannot recall any instructions, our discussions," says Cook

The left-handers added 188 together

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance by an Englishman down under since the 1930s

Total Command

England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test at Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Brisbane success by scoring 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

Then came possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket down under

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

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. There was disbelief as the day ended," recalls Cook

Series Conclusion

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

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

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years in his international career featured other milestones

Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|