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Brisbane is not a city to give the Three Lions badly required confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to the Australian side at the series start, the visiting team need to regroup for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have often become easy prey at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Success

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale provided by a cricket hero

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win in Australia during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs throughout a campaign in this country

England won 3-1, with every win by an innings

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

His journey toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier following that year's Ashes in England

England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings with just one score above 50

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he notes

Game Improvement

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

Early outcomes showed promise

He scored three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, Cook had a "stinker"

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day of the third Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance before being dropped

"I was sitting at the bar, trying to find the solution by drowning sorrows," he confesses

The Turning Point

His century ensured his position for the Australian tour

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under

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

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before day three's conclusion, the opening pair began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall any instructions, our discussions," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs together

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score from an English player in Australia since the 1930s

Series Dominance

England exploited an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

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

Series Conclusion

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance in Ashes history in Australia

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief as the day ended," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground

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

The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but when

"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers

"When Tremlett got the last player to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years of his Test career included further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|