The 2017/18 Ashes Series is all set, so we thought we would take look back at Alastair Cook’s past series’ in Australia, which has seen the rise the greatest English batsman of all time since he featured for the first time in 2006.
Cook heads into the series on the back of a Championship winning season at Essex and supporters were treated to a number of fine innings, trademark shots and the familiar sight of the Gray Nicolls being raised to the Pavilion. His shining innnings this year came against Middlesex when a record first wicket partnership (373 runs) with Nick Browne, which included a personal innings of 193 that helped Essex to a memorable of key win in the season.
This was Alastair’s first County Championship win of his career. However, he has been accustomed to lifting the Urn on four occasions; the first coming in 2009. This will be the seventh series he has featured in and the first time in three series he won’t be captaining the side – he is one of 3 England players to have skippered an Ashes side on three occasions.
2006/07 Series
The Australian’s were well aware of Alastair Cook’s ability after his innings of 214 for Essex against them at Chelmsford in 2005. He made his Ashes bow in 2006 and a hostile Australian crowd awaited for the 21 year old batsman.
The opening match against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane was only his 10th Test match for England. The series itself wasn’t a memorable one as England slumped to a 5-0 defeat, but Cook did hit his 4th Test century during the third match at the WACA, Perth. The 116 he scored was the only innings over 50 but he had now announced himself on the Ashes scene.
Alastair Cook reaches his double century during Day One of Essex and Australia played at The County Ground on September 3, 2005.
Alastair Cook arrives at Sydney International Airport November 5, 2006 in Sydney, Australia ahead of the first Test.
Alastair Cook drives during Day Four of the first Ashes Test match at The Gabba on November 26, 2006 in Brisbane, Australia.
Alastair Cook celebrates reaching his century during day four of the third Ashes Test match at the WACA on December 17, 2006 in Perth, Australia.
Alastair Cook celebrates reaching his century during Day Four of the third Ashes Test Match at the WACA on December 17, 2006 in Perth, Australia.
2010/11 Series
After securing the Ashes in 2009 on home soil, England headed to Australia in 2010/11 looking to retain the Urn for the first time since 1986. This proved to be Alastair Cook’s greatest series in an England shirt as he racked up 766 runs across the five matches, ending as the highest run scorer and Man of the Series. The most memorable match was the opening Test in Brisbane as he and Jonathan Trott scored a partnership of 329 runs. Cook’s innings of 235 broke Don Bradmans’s highest Test score record at the Gabba.
Cook’s series went from strength-to-strength, scoring a further two centuries to help lead England to a 3-1 Ashes victory. This was the first time England had won the Ashes since the 1986/87 series and continued the winning streak into the 2013 series; Cook’s first Ashes as Captain.
Alastair Cook pulls the ball away from the Australian bowling as Michael Clarke looks on on the first day of the fourth Ashes cricket Test match, in Melbourne on December 26, 2010.
Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook take more runs from the Australian bowling on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test match in Melbourne on December 26, 2010.
Alastair Cook celebrates scoring his double century with Jonathan Trott on the final day of the first Ashes cricket Test match in Brisbane on November 29, 2010.
Alastair Cook & Jonathan Trott acknowledge the applause after compiling a 329 run partnership as England declares at 517-1 on the final day of the first Ashes cricket Test match in Brisbane on November 29, 2010.
Alastair Cook & Jonathan Trott acknowledge the applause after compiling a 329 run partnership as England declares at 517-1 on the final day of the first Ashes cricket Test match in Brisbane on November 29, 2010.
Alastair Cook, Graeme Swann & James Anderson celebrate in the dressing room with a replica of the Ashes urn, after winning the series 3-1 during day five of the Fifth Ashes Test match.
Andrew Strauss holds up the Ashes replica urn and jokes with teammate Alastair Cook as they celebrate their win in the fifth Ashes cricket Test.
2013/14 Series
The 2013/14 series saw England defeated in the Ashes for the first time since 2006/07, as Mitchell Johnson caused havoc for the Australians and Alastair Cook’s men lost the series 5-0. Cook struggled with his form throughout the five matches, managing just 246 runs and wasn’t able to reach three figures.
England captain Alastair Cook drives Ryan Harris for four runs on day four of the first Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at the Gabba Cricket Ground in Brisbane on November 24, 2013. AFP PHOTO / Patrick Hamilton IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo credit should read PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP/Getty Images)
England captain Alastair Cook (R) and teammate Kevin Pietersen (L) walk off after England was defeated by Australia on the fourth day of the fourth Ashes cricket Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 29, 2013. AFP PHOTO/William WEST -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 23: England captain Alastair Cook and team mate Kevin Pietersen walk off the field at the conclusion of play during day three of the First Ashes Test match between Australia and England at The Gabba on November 23, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 17: England captain Alastair Cook after losing the Third Ashes Test Match between Australia and England at WACA on December 17, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Now for 2017/18 – we wish Alastair Cook and England the best of luck in Australia!
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