🔗 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 the Australian side at the series start, England need to regroup before heading to the famous Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

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

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration delivered by a shining knight

This marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 paving England's path toward their sole series victory in Australia during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals in a series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

The team hasn't secured success at this venue since those glory days

Cook's Memories

"You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry that went into that," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match came through innings wins"

The Road to Greatness

His journey toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series in the UK

England won, Cook had an average below 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Technical Transformation

Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results proved positive

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

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to British conditions for the 2010 summer, the batsman struggled significantly

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs

Without runs following the second day in the third match versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"I found myself in the bar, attempting to discover the solution through drinking," he reveals

The Turning Point

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

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches down under

When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end then continued with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"I don't remember any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook

The left-handers added 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score by an Englishman on Australian soil for 82 years

Total Command

England capitalised on an astonishing first morning of the second Test in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket down under

At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

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

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but when

"The environment was electric," Cook remembers

"When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, it was a moment of pure elation"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons in his international career were illuminated by additional achievements

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|