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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the Three Lions some much-needed Ashes optimism

Following the loss to the hosts at the series start, the visiting team need to regroup ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where England have not won for decades

Men wearing three lions have frequently been easy prey at the Gabbatoir

Cook's Memorable Success

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero

This marks 15 years since Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs in a series down under

England won 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

The team hasn't secured a Test victory there since those glory days

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"

Path to Success

The path to down under success began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 Ashes in England

Despite English victory, the opener scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He desired better

"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he notes

Game Improvement

Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back at work practicing numerous bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

Cook made three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to home soil for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs

On nought not out following the second day in the third match versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

Decisive Instance

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

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches in Australia

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

Historic Partnership

Just before day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," Cook remembers

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 for the first wicket

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

Total Command

The English took advantage of an incredible start in the second match in South Australia

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

He continued his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the hosts were dismissed for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief when play concluded," says Cook

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the match and the Ashes, but when

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

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

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

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

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|