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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give England crucial confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to the hosts during the opening match, England must stir themselves ahead of visiting the Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have habitually been easy prey at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Achievement

Among a recent history of English disappointments, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by a shining knight

This marks a decade and a half after Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory down under over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton 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 success at this venue since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 down under with every match were won by an innings"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before following that year's Ashes in the UK

England won, Cook had an average below 25 managing only one innings over fifty

He wanted more

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he states

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back at work facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

The initial results showed promise

The batsman achieved three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to England during the 2010 season, Cook performed poorly

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

Without runs at the end of day two in the third match against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, trying to find the solution through drinking," he admits

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings secured his place for the Australian tour

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

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they faced three wickets from Siddle

Historic Partnership

An hour before day three's conclusion, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and followed up with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

The opening pair added 188 in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score achieved by a Briton down under since the 1930s

Total Command

England capitalised on an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later

Then came arguably England's best performance in Ashes history in Australia

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief when play concluded," Cook remembers

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their best score on Australian soil

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to win the match, it represented an instant of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|