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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team crucial confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, England have to bounce back before heading to the Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for decades

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

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight

Today commemorates 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals during a Test series on Australian soil

England won 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since those glory days

Cook's Memories

"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a series when England triumphed 3-1 in Australia and all three games came through innings wins"

Path to Success

His journey toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier after the 2009 series on home soil

England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance above 50

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Technical Transformation

Two days after the victory celebrations, he returned practicing numerous bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes were encouraging

Cook made three hundreds on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

Upon his return to England for the 2010 summer, the left-hander performed poorly

In eight innings facing these opponents, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

Without runs at the end of the second day in the third match facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"There I was in the hospitality area, trying to find the answer through drinking," he admits

The Turning Point

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

The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests down under

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

Historic Partnership

An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps and proceeded through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen added 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman in Australia in eight decades

Complete Control

The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session during the following Test at Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters

What followed was possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition in Australia

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The question was not whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to secure victory, that was a time of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey included other milestones

Post-cricket career, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|