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Brisbane is not a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes

After defeat by the hosts in the first Test, England need to regroup for a trip to the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have habitually been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

Cook's Memorable Success

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by a cricket hero

Today commemorates a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph down under during recent memory

Historic Achievement

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

Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals in a series in this country

Victory came 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that memorable series

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects

"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road to down under success commenced well before at the end of the 2009 Ashes in England

Despite English victory, Cook scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He wanted more

"Cricket is a team game, personal performance does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he states

Skill Development

Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to British conditions for that year's summer, the batsman performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29

On nought not out following the second day's play during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain it might be his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"I found myself in the hospitality area, seeking the solution through drinking," he reveals

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings ensured his position in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests in Australia

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they encountered three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and followed up through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score from an English player on Australian soil in eight decades

Total Command

England exploited a remarkable opening session during the following Test in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to win the match, that was a time of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

He earned series honors

The remaining seven years of his Test career included further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|