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The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England some much-needed Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to Australia at the series start, the tourists have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986

Men wearing three lions have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story achieved by a cricket hero

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory in Australia during recent memory

Record-Breaking Performance

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

Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

They have not won a Test victory there since that memorable series

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook recalls

"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match came through innings wins"

The Road to Greatness

The path to down under success started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Though England triumphed, Cook had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance above 50

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Skill Development

Two days after the victory celebrations, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

The initial results showed promise

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to England for that year's summer, the left-hander performed poorly

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

Without runs at the end of the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain this would be his last Test innings prior to selection

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the resolution through drinking," he admits

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings secured his place in the squad down under

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under

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

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the end of the third day, the opening pair started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and proceeded with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook

The opening pair accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s

Total Command

England exploited a remarkable opening session during the following Test in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success by scoring 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, on the holiday, the home side were dismissed for 98

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

Series Conclusion

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to win the match, that was a time of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years of his Test career were illuminated by further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|