🔗 Share this article

The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, England must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986

English cricketers have often become outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale achieved by a shining knight

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win in Australia over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant 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

The English triumphed 3-1, where each success through innings victories

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

Looking Back

"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 in Australia and all three games were won by an innings"

Path to Success

Cook's road to down under success started a year and a half before at the end of that year's Ashes in England

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

He sought improvement

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

Technical Transformation

Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

He scored three hundred-run innings during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to England for that year's summer, the batsman had a "stinker"

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29

Without runs at the end of day two during the final Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed he was playing his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission

"I found myself in the hospitality area, seeking the answer through drinking," he admits

Critical Moment

His century secured his place on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests down under

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they faced a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the end of the third day, the opening pair began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember the messages, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

The left-handers added 188 in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance from an English player down under since the 1930s

Total Command

The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session of the second Test in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history in Australia

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the game and series, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to claim triumph, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years of his Test career were illuminated by additional achievements

Post-cricket career, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|