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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give England badly required hope for the Ashes

After defeat by Australia during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

Men wearing three lions have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero

It is exactly 15 years since Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph down under in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs throughout a campaign down under

Victory came 3-1, with every win through innings victories

They have not won a Test here since those glory days

Looking Back

"People overlook the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil with every match came through innings wins"

The Road to Greatness

His journey toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series in England

England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty

He desired better

"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states

Game Improvement

Shortly after the celebrations, he was back facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

The initial results proved positive

Cook made three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to British conditions during the 2010 season, the batsman had a "stinker"

In eight innings facing these opponents, his top innings was 29

Scoreless overnight following the second day during the final Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain it might be his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"I found myself in the bar, seeking the solution through drinking," he admits

Decisive Instance

His century guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they faced three wickets from Siddle

Historic Partnership

An hour before day three's conclusion, both batsmen started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps then continued through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"I don't remember any instructions, our conversations," Cook remembers

The opening pair added 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years

Complete Control

England exploited an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

He continued his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out

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

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more in Sydney

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the game and series, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to win the match, it was a moment of pure elation"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons of his Test career featured additional achievements

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|