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Brisbane is not a city to give the English team crucial confidence in the series

After defeat by the hosts during the opening match, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades

English cricketers have habitually been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Among a recent history of English disappointments, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale provided by a shining knight

This marks 15 years since Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs throughout a campaign in this country

Victory came 3-1, where each success through innings victories

They have not won success at this venue since those glory days

Personal Reflections

"You forget the tough times, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in England

England won, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he states

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundreds during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

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

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

On nought not out after the second day in the third match facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced this would be his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"I found myself at the bar, attempting to discover the solution through drinking," he confesses

Decisive Instance

His century secured his place in the squad down under

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests in Australia

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with a performance remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall the messages, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

The opening pair contributed 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score achieved by a Briton in Australia for 82 years

Complete Control

England exploited an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Queensland achievement with 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

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

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," says Cook

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings 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 feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, that was a time of complete happiness"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years of his cricket journey featured further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|