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The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England some much-needed hope for the Ashes

After defeat by Australia in the first Test, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades

Players representing England have habitually been lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration provided by an exceptional player

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory down under during recent memory

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs throughout a campaign down under

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

England hasn't achieved a Test here since those glory days

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after the 2009 series in the UK

Though England triumphed, the opener scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance over fifty

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Skill Development

Two days after the victory celebrations, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch

Early outcomes were encouraging

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

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to England for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

In eight innings facing these opponents, his top innings was 29

Without runs at the end of day two in the third match versus Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain he was playing his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"I was sitting in the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

The Turning Point

The 110-run innings secured his place in the squad down under

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games down under

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

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

"I don't remember any instructions, our discussions," Cook remembers

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score achieved by a Briton down under since the 1930s

Total Command

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

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

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

At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian sport, on the holiday, the home side were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," recalls Cook

Series Conclusion

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the SCG

His 189 lifted England to 644, their best score on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if England would win the game and series, rather when

"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to claim triumph, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey included additional achievements

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|