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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the English team crucial hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to the hosts in the first Test, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

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

The Inspirational Triumph

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story delivered by an exceptional player

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

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

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

England hasn't achieved a Test here since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook recalls

"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under with every match came through innings wins"

Path to Success

His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier following that year's Ashes on home soil

England won, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Game Improvement

Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back practicing numerous of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

Cook made three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, Cook had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29

Scoreless overnight after the second day's play in the third match against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"There I was in the hospitality area, trying to find the answer through drinking," he confesses

Critical Moment

His century ensured his position on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games on Australian soil

When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history

"I don't remember any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 together

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score by an Englishman on Australian soil in eight decades

Total Command

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

When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

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

What followed was arguably England's best performance in Ashes history on Australian soil

At the MCG, the massive stadium of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His 189 lifted England to 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the game and series, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, it was a moment of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey featured other milestones

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

"{I couldn't have played any better|