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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers England crucial Ashes optimism

Following the loss to Australia in the first Test, England need to regroup ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

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

The Inspirational Triumph

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight

It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 paving England's path to their only Ashes series win down under during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals throughout a campaign in this country

England won 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins

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

Personal Reflections

"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road to down under success started a year and a half before after the 2009 Ashes in the UK

England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings with just one score over fifty

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states

Game Improvement

Shortly after the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances proved positive

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

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return 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

Without runs following the second day in the third match against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting in the bar, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

Decisive Instance

His century ensured his position in the squad down under

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches down under

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

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"I cannot recall specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook

The left-handers added 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia since the 1930s

Complete Control

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

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

He continued his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

Then came possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket down under

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian sport, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, Cook was at it again in Sydney

His 189 lifted England to 644, their best score during Australian Tests

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey were illuminated by further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|