🔗 Share this article

The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the Three Lions some much-needed confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting the Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986

English cricketers have habitually been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Success

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale achieved by a cricket hero

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory on Australian soil during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals during a Test series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before after that year's Ashes in the UK

Despite English victory, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings above 50

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, personal performance does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes were encouraging

The batsman achieved three centuries on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to British conditions during the 2010 season, the left-hander performed poorly

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

On nought not out at the end of day two of the third Test against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his final Test performance before being dropped

"There I was at the bar, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games down under

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," Cook remembers

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs together

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

Total Command

England capitalised on a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

What followed was arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief as the day ended," Cook remembers

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

His 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win both match and urn, but the timing

"The environment was electric," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to win the match, it was a moment of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years in his international career featured additional achievements

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|