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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers England some much-needed Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, the visiting team must stir themselves ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

Cook's Memorable Achievement

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story delivered by an exceptional player

This marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

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

Victory came 3-1, with all victories by an innings

The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign

Personal Reflections

"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a series when England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games were won by an innings"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before following that year's Ashes in England

England won, the opener averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Skill Development

Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

Early outcomes proved positive

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

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to British conditions for that year's summer, the batsman performed poorly

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29

On nought not out following day two in the third match facing Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

"There I was at the bar, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings secured his place on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests on Australian soil

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

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

They reached 19-0 at stumps then continued through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook

The opening pair contributed 188 in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score by an Englishman down under since the 1930s

Series Dominance

England exploited an astonishing first morning during the following Test in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

He continued his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition in Australia

At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total during Australian Tests

The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers

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

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The subsequent seven years of his Test career included additional achievements

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|