🔗 Share this article

The Queensland capital isn't a city to give England crucial hope for the Ashes

After defeat by the hosts in the first Test, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where England have not won for decades

Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

The Inspirational Success

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero

This marks the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win down under during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three centuries and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs throughout a campaign down under

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

They have not won a Test victory there since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"You forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part during a campaign where England won 3-1 in Australia and all three games were won by an innings"

Journey to Excellence

His journey to his Australian epic commenced well before following the 2009 Ashes in England

Despite English victory, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings with just one score over fifty

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Game Improvement

Two days after the celebrations, he returned practicing numerous deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results were encouraging

The batsman achieved three hundreds on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

After coming back to home soil during the 2010 season, the left-hander had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced this would be his last Test innings prior to selection

"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution through drinking," he reveals

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings secured his place for the Australian tour

The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games in Australia

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded then continued through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore

"I cannot recall the messages, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s

Complete Control

The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning during the following Test in Adelaide

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

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief at the end of the day," Cook remembers

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score during Australian Tests

The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The remaining seven years of his Test career were illuminated by additional achievements

After retiring internationally, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|