🔗 Share this article

Brisbane is not a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to the Australian side during the opening match, England have to bounce back for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for decades

Players representing England have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Success

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration provided by an exceptional player

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match during that famous series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs during a Test series in this country

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins

They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days

Looking Back

"People overlook the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory were won by an innings"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following the 2009 series in the UK

England won, the opener averaged less than 25 with just one score exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Game Improvement

Two days after the celebrations, he returned practicing numerous bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

The batsman achieved three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

When Cook returned to British conditions during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

Scoreless overnight after the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

"I found myself in the bar, trying to find the resolution through drinking," he reveals

Decisive Instance

His century guaranteed his seat in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games down under

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

Memorable Collaboration

Shortly prior to the third day's close, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded then continued with a performance remembered in Ashes history

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

The opening pair contributed 188 together

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score from an English player down under since the 1930s

Series Dominance

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

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

He continued his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief when play concluded," Cook remembers

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, but the timing

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to win the match, that was a time of pure elation"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons of his Test career featured further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|