In that first Test in 2010 we conceded a deficit of 211 runs in the first innings. 35,000 Australians pounded the huge cement stadium calling for English blood in a procession towards another Australian victory.
Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott braved the noise to pile up 517-1 in our second innings. The test was tied, but it seemed like we had won.
You could feel the rhetoric towards us changing. The people who had been very happy to tell us that we were going to be wiped out slowly began to say that they respected the way we had fought back and that they loved watching the competition.
Planning is important, but so is living in the moment. Too many times English teams have gone to Australia with preconceived ideas about the conditions they will face.
Being able to read the conditions and adapt is crucial. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2010, David Saker, England’s bowling coach, was absolutely convinced that bowling first was the way to win the Test.
We bowled out Australia for 98 and won by one inning. Being bold in your decision making will serve England well.
Finally, luck is also a big part of success in Australia.
In 2010, Australia had no set spinner, there were question marks around the great Ricky Ponting approaching the end of his career and uncertainty over seam bowlers.
Australia picked a 17-man team for the first Test, more players than we had during our entire three-month tour of the country. Catching Australia in a transition period may be critical.
This time, injuries to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have given England the opportunity to face an Australian team whose cracks are perhaps just beginning to show for the first time since 2010.
There are many challenges that come with playing in an Ashes series away from home, on and off the field.
The stars may be aligning for England to have a real chance of winning in Australia for the first time in 15 years.
