🔗 Share this article

The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England crucial hope for the Ashes

After defeat by the hosts at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for decades

Players representing England have often become easy prey in Brisbane

The Inspirational Achievement

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight

This marks the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series paving England's path toward their sole series victory on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"One tends to forget the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil with every match came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

The path to down under success started a year and a half before at the end of that year's Ashes on home soil

Despite English victory, the opener averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Game Improvement

Two days after the triumphant events, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results showed promise

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

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to England for that year's summer, the batsman struggled significantly

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

On nought not out at the end of the second day in the third match facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced he was playing his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he admits

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games in Australia

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

Memorable Collaboration

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

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook

The opening pair accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s

Total Command

The English took advantage of an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

He continued his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history on Australian soil

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the home side were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

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

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got the final batsman to claim triumph, that was a time of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey featured further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|