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

In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, the visiting team have to bounce back for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

English cricketers have habitually been easy prey in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story delivered by an exceptional player

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series paving England's path toward their sole series victory in Australia in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

It commenced of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs

Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals during a Test series in this country

England won 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since those glory days

Looking Back

"People overlook the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

His journey to down under success commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in the UK

England won, Cook had an average below 25 managing only one innings above 50

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he notes

Technical Transformation

Two days after the celebrations, he was back at work practicing numerous of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances showed promise

Cook made three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to England for that year's summer, the batsman struggled significantly

In eight innings facing these opponents, his highest score was 29

Scoreless overnight after the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting at the bar, seeking the answer through drinking," he admits

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games down under

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

Historic Partnership

Just before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

The opening pair added 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s

Series Dominance

England capitalised on an astonishing first morning during the following Test in Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His 189 helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the game and series, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

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

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|