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Brisbane is not a place that offers England crucial Ashes optimism

After defeat by Australia in the first Test, England need to regroup for a trip to the Gabba, a ground where England have not won for decades

Players representing England have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale achieved by a cricket hero

Today commemorates 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph down under in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs in a series on Australian soil

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

They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days

Looking Back

"You forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 down under where each victory was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

The path to his Australian epic commenced well before at the end of the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Though England triumphed, Cook had an average below 25 with just one score above 50

He sought improvement

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances proved positive

He scored three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Career-Defining Moments

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

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

On nought not out after day two in the third match facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting at the bar, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he admits

Critical Moment

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

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games down under

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they faced three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to the third day's close, the opening pair opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded then continued through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs together

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance from an English player down under for 82 years

Total Command

The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning during the following Test in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition in Australia

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of sports down under, on the holiday, the home side were blown away for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," recalls Cook

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

His 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings on Australian soil

The question was not if England would win the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to win the match, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons of his Test career were illuminated by other milestones

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|