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The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the English team crucial Ashes optimism

After defeat by Australia at the series start, the visiting team must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986

Players representing England have frequently been easy prey in Brisbane

The Inspirational Success

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

It is exactly a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph down under during recent memory

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs in a series on Australian soil

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories

They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia where each victory was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in the UK

England won, the opener averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he notes

Game Improvement

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundreds during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, the left-hander had a "stinker"

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29

Without runs after the second day of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed this would be his concluding international appearance prior to selection

"There I was in the bar, trying to find the solution through drinking," he confesses

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat in the squad down under

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches down under

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

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

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded then continued with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our discussions," recalls Cook

The left-handers added 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance from an English player on Australian soil since the 1930s

Complete Control

England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane success by scoring 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

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

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," says Cook

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph both match and urn, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to claim triumph, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by additional achievements

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|