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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team some much-needed hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to the Australian side during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Success

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration delivered by a cricket hero

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs in a series on Australian soil

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that memorable series

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

The path toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier following that year's Ashes in the UK

England won, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings over fifty

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he states

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

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

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to British conditions for the 2010 summer, the left-hander struggled significantly

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

Without runs at the end of day two during the final Test versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"There I was in the hospitality area, seeking the solution through drinking," he confesses

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw in practice matches on Australian soil

Come the first Test in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and followed up through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs together

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton in Australia in eight decades

Complete Control

England capitalised on a remarkable opening session of the second Test at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Brisbane success by scoring 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

What followed was arguably England's best performance in Ashes history on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98

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

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total during Australian Tests

The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, but when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to win the match, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years of his Test career featured other milestones

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

"{I couldn't have played any better|