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Brisbane hasn't been 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 must stir themselves before heading to the Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have often become outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by a shining knight

Today commemorates 15 years since the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory in Australia over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It commenced of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs throughout a campaign in this country

The English triumphed 3-1, where each success through innings victories

They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the tough times, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"

The Road to Greatness

The path to down under success commenced well before at the end of that year's Ashes on home soil

England won, Cook scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance above 50

He sought improvement

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

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

Cook made three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

When Cook returned to England for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly

In eight innings facing these opponents, his best performance reached only 29

Without runs following the second day in the third match versus Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain it might be his last Test innings prior to selection

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the resolution through drinking," he confesses

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings ensured his position for the Australian tour

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests down under

Come the first Test in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and followed up through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall the messages, our conversations," Cook remembers

The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s

Total Command

The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session of the second Test at Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later

What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history in Australia

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the game and series, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons of his Test career featured further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|