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The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the Three Lions badly required hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to the hosts in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back before heading to the Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986

Players representing England have frequently been easy prey at this challenging venue

Cook's Memorable Success

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale provided by a shining knight

This marks the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win in Australia in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals in a series on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

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

Cook's Memories

"You forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

His journey to down under success commenced well before following the 2009 series on home soil

Though England triumphed, Cook averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance above 50

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Game Improvement

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

Beginning performances were encouraging

Cook made three hundreds on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman had a "stinker"

In eight innings facing these opponents, his best performance totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed this would be his last Test innings prior to selection

"I found myself in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer through drinking," he confesses

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings ensured his position on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests on Australian soil

As the opening match began at the famous ground, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 by day's end and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 for the first wicket

His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance from an English player down under in eight decades

Complete Control

England exploited an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

England could have retained the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

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

The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, but when

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The remaining seven years of his Test career featured additional achievements

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

"{I couldn't have played any better|