🔗 Share this article

Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers England crucial Ashes optimism

After defeat by the Australian side in the first Test, the visiting team have to bounce back before heading to the famous Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for decades

Players representing England have habitually been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane

The Inspirational Achievement

Among a recent history of English disappointments, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win down under over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs during a Test series on Australian soil

England won 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins

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

Personal Reflections

"You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"I look back with pride. I made an important impact during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 in Australia and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

The path to down under success began 18 months earlier after that year's Ashes on home soil

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 with just one score above 50

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states

Skill Development

Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back at work practicing numerous deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

The initial results proved positive

He scored three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman struggled significantly

In eight innings facing these opponents, his highest score was 29

On nought not out at the end of the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed he was playing his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting at the bar, seeking the answer through drinking," he confesses

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings secured his place in the squad down under

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games on Australian soil

As the opening match began at the famous ground, they encountered three wickets from Siddle

Memorable Collaboration

Just before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score achieved by a Briton down under since the 1930s

Complete Control

England exploited a remarkable opening session of the second Test in South Australia

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success by scoring 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later

What followed was arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket in Australia

At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," Cook remembers

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook was at it again in Sydney

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total during Australian Tests

The question was not if England would win the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to claim triumph, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Legacy and Recognition

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons in his international career included other milestones

After retiring internationally, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|