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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions badly required Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, England need to regroup ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a stadium where England have not won since 1986

Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Success

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story provided by a shining knight

Today commemorates 15 years since the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course toward their sole series victory down under during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of the victorious Australian campaign; three centuries and 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs during a Test series on Australian soil

The English triumphed 3-1, where each success by an innings

The team hasn't secured a Test here since those glory days

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

His journey to down under success started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes in the UK

Though England triumphed, the opener had an average below 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality creates the sensation that you must contribute adequately," he states

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he returned practicing numerous deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results showed promise

He scored three centuries during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to England for the 2010 summer, Cook struggled significantly

During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

Scoreless overnight at the end of day two in the third match versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain this would be his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"I was sitting in the bar, trying to find the resolution through drinking," he reveals

The Turning Point

The 110-run innings secured his place on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games down under

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to the third day's close, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps and proceeded with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our discussions," says Cook

The opening pair contributed 188 together

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance from an English player on Australian soil since the 1930s

Series Dominance

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

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

England could have retained the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later

What followed was possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket down under

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief when play concluded," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

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

The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years of his Test career included further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|