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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers England crucial Ashes optimism

After defeat by the hosts at the series start, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to the famous Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years

Players representing England have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player

It is exactly a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match during that famous series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs throughout a campaign down under

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

The team hasn't secured a Test victory there since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia where each victory came through innings wins"

Path to Success

His journey to down under success started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Despite English victory, the opener averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance above 50

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he states

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results were encouraging

He scored three hundred-run innings during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, Cook performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29

Scoreless overnight at the end of day two in the third match against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance before being dropped

"There I was at the bar, seeking the solution through drinking," he reveals

Decisive Instance

His century secured his place on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games down under

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they faced a Siddle hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

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

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our conversations," recalls Cook

Both left-handed batsmen added 188 for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance from an English player down under since the 1930s

Complete Control

England capitalised on a remarkable opening session in the second match at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Brisbane success with 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

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

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief when play concluded," Cook remembers

Series Conclusion

Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total on Australian soil

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

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years of his Test career featured additional achievements

Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|