🔗 Share this article

The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions crucial hope for the Ashes

After defeat by the hosts in the first Test, England have to bounce back ahead of visiting the Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for decades

Men wearing three lions have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Achievement

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win in Australia over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three centuries totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs in a series in this country

The English triumphed 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved a Test here since that memorable series

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the tough times, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in England

Despite English victory, Cook scored under 25 per innings with just one score over fifty

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance creates the sensation that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

Cook made three hundreds on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Career-Defining Moments

Upon his return to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29

Scoreless overnight following day two in the third match against Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain it might be his last Test innings before being dropped

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the resolution by drowning sorrows," he confesses

Decisive Instance

Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches on Australian soil

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they faced a Siddle hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Just before the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and followed up with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"I cannot recall any instructions, our discussions," says Cook

The opening pair accumulated 188 runs together

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score by an Englishman in Australia in eight decades

Series Dominance

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

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

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

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history on Australian soil

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian sport, on the holiday, the hosts were dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," says Cook

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The environment was electric," Cook remembers

"When Tremlett got the last player to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The subsequent seven years in his international career featured further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|