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Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to the hosts at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for over thirty years

English cricketers have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane

Cook's Memorable Success

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale delivered by a shining knight

This marks the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

It commenced of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs in a series down under

Victory came 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings"

Path to Success

Cook's road to down under success commenced well before after the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Despite English victory, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He wanted more

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states

Technical Transformation

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back facing countless bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances were encouraging

He scored three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook struggled significantly

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29

Without runs at the end of the second day in the third match against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance prior to selection

"I found myself at the bar, attempting to discover the solution by drowning sorrows," he confesses

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 ensured his position on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests on Australian soil

Come the first Test in Brisbane, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to the third day's close, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"I don't remember the messages, our discussions," says Cook

The left-handers added 188 together

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia since the 1930s

Complete Control

The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning during the following Test in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history in Australia

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the home side were dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," says Cook

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The question was not if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, that was a time of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey featured other milestones

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|