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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions badly required hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to the hosts during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for decades

Players representing England have frequently been easy prey at this challenging venue

Cook's Memorable Achievement

Among a recent history of English disappointments, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale provided by a shining knight

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph down under over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil

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

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that memorable series

Personal Reflections

"You forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under and all three games came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

The path toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series in England

Though England triumphed, Cook scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance over fifty

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, 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 hundreds on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

Upon his return to England for that year's summer, Cook had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29

Scoreless overnight following the second day's play during the final Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his final Test performance before being dropped

"I found myself in the bar, seeking the answer by drowning sorrows," he admits

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings ensured his position in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests down under

As the opening match began at the famous ground, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the end of the third day, both batsmen started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember any instructions, our discussions," recalls Cook

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score by an Englishman on Australian soil for 82 years

Total Command

England exploited an astonishing first morning of the second Test at Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

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 urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

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

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," Cook remembers

Series Conclusion

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

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if England would win the match and the Ashes, but when

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to win the match, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years in his international career included further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|