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Brisbane is not a city to give England some much-needed confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to Australia at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves before heading to the Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for decades

Men wearing three lions have habitually been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration provided by an exceptional player

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 paving England's path to their only Ashes series win down under over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs in a series in this country

Victory came 3-1, with every win by an innings

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

Cook's Memories

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

His journey to down under success commenced well before following the 2009 Ashes in the UK

Despite English victory, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty

He desired better

"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he states

Technical Transformation

Shortly after the celebrations, he was back practicing numerous of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, the batsman performed poorly

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29

Scoreless overnight at the end of day two in the third match versus Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced this would be his last Test innings prior to selection

"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution through drinking," he admits

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

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

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to the third day's close, both batsmen began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our discussions," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs together

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score from an English player on Australian soil for 82 years

Series Dominance

England capitalised on a remarkable opening session in the second match in Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

England could have retained the urn in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief as the day ended," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

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

"The environment was electric," Cook remembers

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

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey featured further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|