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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions badly required Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to Australia at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years

Players representing England have often become easy prey at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Success

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

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win in Australia over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs in a series in this country

Victory came 3-1, where each success through innings victories

England hasn't achieved a Test here since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the tough times, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 in Australia and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

His journey to down under success commenced well before at the end of the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Though England triumphed, the opener had an average below 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He desired better

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

The batsman achieved three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to home soil for that year's summer, Cook performed poorly

In eight innings facing these opponents, his best performance was 29

On nought not out following day two in the third match versus Pakistan in London, Cook believed he was playing his final Test performance before being dropped

"There I was in the hospitality area, trying to find the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

The Turning Point

The 110-run innings secured his place in the squad down under

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games in Australia

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Memorable Collaboration

Just before the end of the third day, the opening pair started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore

"I cannot recall any instructions, our discussions," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score by an Englishman in Australia in eight decades

Complete Control

England exploited a remarkable opening session during the following Test at Adelaide

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

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the SCG

The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The question was not if England would win the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The subsequent seven years in his international career featured additional achievements

After retiring internationally, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|