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Brisbane is not a city to give England badly required hope for the Ashes

After defeat by the Australian side in the first Test, the visiting team must stir themselves ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for over thirty years

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

The Inspirational Success

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by a cricket hero

Today commemorates a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path toward their sole series victory down under during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

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

Cook's Memories

"You forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil with every match was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier after the 2009 series in the UK

Despite English victory, the opener scored under 25 per innings with just one score exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

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

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results showed promise

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

Crucial Turning Points

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

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29

Scoreless overnight following the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan in London, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting in the bar, seeking the answer through drinking," he admits

Critical Moment

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

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

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

An hour before the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

The left-handers added 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score from an English player on Australian soil since the 1930s

Series Dominance

England capitalised on an astonishing first morning in the second match in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

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

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest 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 dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief when play concluded," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their record innings on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if victory would come both match and urn, but when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"When Tremlett got the last player to claim triumph, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years in his international career were illuminated by other milestones

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|