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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team some much-needed confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, the tourists need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades

English cricketers have habitually been easy prey at the Gabbatoir

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration provided by a shining knight

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, saving the first Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win down under during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

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

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs during a Test series down under

Victory came 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

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

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil with every match came through innings wins"

Path to Success

Cook's road to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier following the 2009 series in the UK

Though England triumphed, Cook averaged less than 25 managing only one innings over fifty

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

Early outcomes were encouraging

Cook made three hundreds on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to home soil for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29

On nought not out following day two in the third match against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed this would be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"There I was in the bar, seeking the answer through drinking," he reveals

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings secured his place in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games down under

As the opening match began at the famous ground, they faced a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

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

They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," Cook remembers

The left-handers added 188 for the first wicket

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman on Australian soil in eight decades

Complete Control

England exploited an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

England could have retained the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the SCG

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

The question was not if England would win the game and series, but when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to win the match, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey were illuminated by other milestones

Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|