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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the English team some much-needed hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to the Australian side during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

English cricketers have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale provided by a cricket hero

This marks the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory down under during recent memory

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs in a series down under

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

England hasn't achieved a Test here since those glory days

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier after the 2009 series on home soil

England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings with just one score exceeding half-century

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he states

Technical Transformation

Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances proved positive

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

Career-Defining Moments

After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, the left-hander had a "stinker"

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29

Scoreless overnight following day two of the third Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, trying to find the solution through drinking," he confesses

The Turning Point

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under

When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded then continued with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

"I don't remember specific guidance, our discussions," says Cook

The left-handers contributed 188 in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia since the 1930s

Complete Control

England exploited an incredible start of the second Test at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

He continued his Queensland achievement with 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," recalls Cook

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

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

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of absolute joy"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years of his Test career were illuminated by other milestones

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|