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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions badly required confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades

English cricketers have habitually been easy prey in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Success

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale achieved by a shining knight

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match during that famous series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win in Australia during recent memory

Record-Breaking Performance

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

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals throughout a campaign in this country

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

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

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

The path toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following the 2009 series in England

England won, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance above 50

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states

Technical Transformation

Two days after the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

He scored three hundreds on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

Upon his return to British conditions for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed he was playing his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting at the bar, trying to find the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

The Turning Point

His century guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under

When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

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

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

"I don't remember any instructions, our conversations," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 together

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s

Total Command

England exploited an astonishing first morning in the second match at Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

England could have retained the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side were blown away for 98

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

Series Conclusion

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

His 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

The question was not if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

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|