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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers England badly required hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to the Australian side at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have habitually been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale achieved by an exceptional player

Today commemorates 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil during recent memory

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of the victorious Australian campaign; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals throughout a campaign in this country

England won 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins

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

Cook's Memories

"You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 down under where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

His journey to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier after the 2009 Ashes in the UK

England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance over fifty

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he explains

Game Improvement

Shortly after the triumphant events, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances were encouraging

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

When Cook returned to British conditions for that year's summer, the batsman struggled significantly

In eight innings facing these opponents, his top innings reached only 29

On nought not out after the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain it might be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission

"There I was in the bar, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he reveals

Decisive Instance

His century secured his place for the Australian tour

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games in Australia

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

Memorable Collaboration

Just before the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps then continued with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember specific guidance, our discussions," recalls Cook

The opening pair added 188 together

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score by an Englishman down under for 82 years

Complete Control

The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session during the following Test in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

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

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition in Australia

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

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

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the game and series, rather when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

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

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|