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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team badly required confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to the hosts at the series start, the visiting team have to bounce back for a trip to the famous Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

English cricketers have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story achieved by a cricket hero

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win down under over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three centuries totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs in a series down under

England won 3-1, with all victories by an innings

The team hasn't secured a Test here since that memorable series

Looking Back

"You forget the tough times, the tension and worry that went into that," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road to down under success commenced well before at the end of that year's Ashes in England

Despite English victory, the opener scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance over fifty

He wanted more

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

Technical Transformation

Two days after the celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes were encouraging

The batsman achieved three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

After coming back to England for that year's summer, Cook struggled significantly

Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day during the final Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced this would be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I found myself in the bar, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he confesses

Critical Moment

His century ensured his position on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests in Australia

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before day three's conclusion, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

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

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score from an English player on Australian soil in eight decades

Series Dominance

The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning during the following Test at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

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

Series Conclusion

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

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

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief when play concluded," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to claim triumph, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons of his Test career were illuminated by additional achievements

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

"{I couldn't have played any better|