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Brisbane is not a city to give the English team crucial Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to the Australian side during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

Players representing England have often become outmatched opponents in Brisbane

The Inspirational Achievement

Within recent memory of English disappointments, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale delivered by an exceptional player

This marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

It commenced of his successful Australian campaign; three centuries and 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series in this country

Victory came 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

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

Cook's Memories

"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"

Path to Success

The path toward Australian glory commenced well before following the 2009 series in England

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

He wanted more

"Cricket is a team game, personal performance creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he states

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances showed promise

Cook made three hundred-run innings during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook struggled significantly

During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his highest score reached only 29

Scoreless overnight after day two of the third Test versus Pakistan in London, Cook believed this would be his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"There I was in the bar, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he reveals

Decisive Instance

His century guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests on Australian soil

As the opening match began at the famous ground, they encountered three wickets from Siddle

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and followed up with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"I cannot recall any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook

The left-handers added 188 together

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player on Australian soil in eight decades

Series Dominance

England capitalised on an incredible start of the second Test at Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success with 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

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

What followed was arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil

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

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief when play concluded," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook excelled once more in Sydney

The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their record innings during Australian Tests

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

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years in his international career included further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|