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Brisbane hasn't been a location providing England badly required hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to the Australian side at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Success

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story delivered by a shining knight

This marks 15 years since the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs in a series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days

Looking Back

"You forget the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 down under and all three games were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

His journey to down under success commenced well before after the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Despite English victory, the opener averaged less than 25 managing only one innings over fifty

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back facing countless bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundreds during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to British conditions for the 2010 summer, the left-hander struggled significantly

During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

On nought not out following the second day's play in the third match against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance prior to selection

"I was sitting at the bar, trying to find the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals

Decisive Instance

His century ensured his position for the Australian tour

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games on Australian soil

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and proceeded through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall specific guidance, our discussions," recalls Cook

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score from an English player on Australian soil in eight decades

Total Command

The English took advantage of an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

What followed was arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

The question was not if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The environment was electric," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey featured other milestones

After retiring internationally, he was honored for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|