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

In the wake of losing to the hosts at the series start, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years

Players representing England have habitually been easy prey in Brisbane

The Inspirational Triumph

Within recent memory of English disappointments, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match during that famous series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals throughout a campaign on Australian soil

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories by an innings

They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a series when England triumphed 3-1 in Australia with every match were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road to his Australian epic started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes in England

Despite English victory, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty

He wanted more

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

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back at work facing countless of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances were encouraging

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

Pivotal Instances

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

During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his highest score was 29

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings before being dropped

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals

Critical Moment

Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games in Australia

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they encountered three wickets from Siddle

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to the third day's close, both batsmen began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps and proceeded through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore

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

The opening pair contributed 188 together

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia for 82 years

Series Dominance

England exploited an astonishing first morning of the second Test in Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement with 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters

Then came arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," says Cook

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total during Australian Tests

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

"The environment was electric," says Cook

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

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years in his international career were illuminated by other milestones

Following his international retirement, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|