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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team some much-needed Ashes optimism

After defeat by Australia in the first Test, the tourists need to regroup before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for decades

Men wearing three lions have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story achieved by a shining knight

It is exactly 15 years since the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win in Australia over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

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

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

The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil with every match came through innings wins"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier after that year's Ashes in England

England won, the opener had an average below 25 with just one score above 50

He desired better

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Technical Transformation

Shortly after the triumphant events, he returned facing countless bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to home soil for the 2010 summer, the left-hander struggled significantly

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29

Without runs at the end of the second day during the final Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting at the bar, attempting to discover the solution through drinking," he reveals

The Turning Point

His century ensured his position on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under

Come the first Test in Brisbane, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

Just before the end of the third day, both batsmen began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and proceeded through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook

The left-handers contributed 188 for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance by an Englishman in Australia since the 1930s

Complete Control

England exploited a remarkable opening session of the second Test in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later

Then came arguably England's best performance in Ashes history down under

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side were blown away for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief at the end of the day," Cook remembers

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil

The question was not whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons of his Test career included further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|