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Brisbane is not a city to give the Three Lions badly required hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to Australia in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years

English cricketers have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player

It is exactly 15 years since the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series down under

England won 3-1, where each success by an innings

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that memorable series

Cook's Memories

"One tends to forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a series when England triumphed 3-1 down under and all three games came through innings wins"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 Ashes in England

Though England triumphed, the opener had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he notes

Skill Development

Shortly after the celebrations, he returned practicing numerous bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

Cook made three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

Without runs after the second day's play during the final Test against Pakistan in London, Cook believed he was playing his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"There I was in the hospitality area, seeking the solution through drinking," he confesses

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings 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 were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and proceeded with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

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

The left-handers contributed 188 together

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s

Total Command

England exploited a remarkable opening session in the second match in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later

Then came arguably England's best performance in Ashes history on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their best score during Australian Tests

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

"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons of his Test career included other milestones

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|