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The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the English team badly required confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to the hosts at the series start, the tourists have to bounce back before heading to the Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for decades

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

The Inspirational Triumph

Among a recent history of English disappointments, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player

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 to their only Ashes series win in Australia over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It commenced of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals during a Test series in this country

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

The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that memorable series

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 in Australia with every match was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road to down under success began 18 months earlier at the end of that year's Ashes in England

Though England triumphed, the opener had an average below 25 with just one score above 50

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he explains

Skill Development

Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances were encouraging

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

Career-Defining Moments

Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, Cook had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings was 29

Scoreless overnight after day two in the third match against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his final Test performance before being dropped

"I found myself in the hospitality area, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he admits

Critical Moment

His century ensured his position on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches on Australian soil

Come the first Test in Brisbane, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end then continued with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

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

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years

Complete Control

England exploited an astonishing first morning of the second Test in Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition in Australia

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score on Australian soil

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

"The environment was electric," says Cook

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

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

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

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

"{I couldn't have played any better|