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

In the wake of losing to the Australian side at the series start, the tourists need to regroup before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where England have not won since 1986

English cricketers have frequently been easy prey in Brisbane

Cook's Memorable Success

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration delivered by a shining knight

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three centuries totaling 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs in a series on Australian soil

England won 3-1, where each success through innings victories

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"One tends to forget the tough times, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

His journey to his Australian epic started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes on home soil

England won, the opener averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance above 50

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states

Technical Transformation

Two days after the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Early outcomes proved positive

He scored three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman performed poorly

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day's play during the final Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced he was playing his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution through drinking," he admits

The Turning Point

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

The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches in Australia

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end then continued with a performance remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall the messages, our discussions," recalls Cook

The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player on Australian soil for 82 years

Series Dominance

England exploited an astonishing first morning during the following Test at Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

Then came arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG

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

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come both match and urn, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Legacy and Recognition

He earned series honors

The remaining seven years of his Test career included additional achievements

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|