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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give England crucial confidence in the series

After defeat by the Australian side at the series start, the tourists have to bounce back ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

English cricketers have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane

The Inspirational Success

Among a recent history of English disappointments, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story achieved by a shining knight

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win in Australia during recent memory

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs throughout a campaign down under

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

They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days

Looking Back

"You forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 down under and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

His journey to his Australian epic started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

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

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, the batsman had a "stinker"

During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

Without runs after the second day's play during the final Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced this would be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he admits

Decisive Instance

Cook's 110 ensured his position in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches in Australia

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and proceeded with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance by an Englishman down under since the 1930s

Series Dominance

England exploited a remarkable opening session of the second Test in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Queensland achievement with 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

Series Conclusion

England could have retained the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

Then came arguably England's best performance in Ashes history on Australian soil

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the home side were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," Cook remembers

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come both match and urn, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to claim triumph, that was a time of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons of his Test career were illuminated by further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|