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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give England some much-needed Ashes optimism

After defeat by the hosts at the series start, England have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years

Players representing England have frequently been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by an exceptional player

It is exactly a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark unbeaten 235, saving the first Test during that famous series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win in Australia during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign in this country

England won 3-1, with all victories by an innings

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that memorable series

Personal Reflections

"People overlook the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory down under with every match were won by an innings"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before after that year's Ashes in the UK

Despite English victory, the opener averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He wanted more

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

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances showed promise

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

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman struggled significantly

In eight innings facing these opponents, his highest score was 29

On nought not out at the end of the second day of the third Test against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his last Test innings before being dropped

"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one in practice matches down under

Come the first Test in Brisbane, they faced three wickets from Siddle

Memorable Collaboration

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, both batsmen opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs

They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our conversations," recalls Cook

Both left-handed batsmen added 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years

Series Dominance

England capitalised on a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Brisbane success 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, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history on Australian soil

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their highest total during Australian Tests

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to claim triumph, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by additional achievements

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|