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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions badly required confidence in the series

After defeat by the hosts in the first Test, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades

English cricketers have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Among a recent history of English disappointments, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story provided by an exceptional player

It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph down under in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals during a Test series down under

England won 3-1, where each success by an innings

England hasn't achieved a Test here since that memorable series

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before after the 2009 series on home soil

Though England triumphed, Cook had an average below 25 managing only one innings above 50

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he states

Technical Transformation

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

Early outcomes were encouraging

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

Career-Defining Moments

Upon his return to England for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"

In eight innings facing these opponents, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

Without runs following day two in the third match versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance before being dropped

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, trying to find the answer through drinking," he reveals

Critical Moment

Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia

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

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and followed up through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

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

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score by an Englishman in Australia since the 1930s

Series Dominance

The English took advantage of an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

What followed was possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition in Australia

At the MCG, the massive stadium of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," Cook remembers

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more in Sydney

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win both match and urn, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to secure victory, it was a moment of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years in his international career included further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|