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The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the English team some much-needed hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to the Australian side in the first Test, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

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

Cook's Memorable Achievement

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story achieved by a shining knight

This marks 15 years since Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph down under in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs in a series in this country

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

The team hasn't secured success at this venue since those glory days

Personal Reflections

"You forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 in Australia and all three games came through innings wins"

Path to Success

His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series in England

England won, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he notes

Game Improvement

Shortly after the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

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

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to British conditions for the 2010 summer, the batsman performed poorly

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29

Scoreless overnight after the second day of the third Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance prior to selection

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

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, both batsmen started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook

The opening pair contributed 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score from an English player on Australian soil since the 1930s

Series Dominance

England capitalised on an astonishing first morning of the second Test in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

He continued his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

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

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to claim triumph, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years in his international career featured other milestones

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|