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

After defeat by Australia in the first Test, the visiting team need to regroup ahead of visiting the Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986

Men wearing three lions have habitually been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by a shining knight

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia during recent memory

Record-Breaking Performance

It commenced of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs during a Test series in this country

The English triumphed 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 apprehension and concern accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

The path toward Australian glory started a year and a half before after the 2009 Ashes on home soil

England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Skill Development

Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back practicing numerous of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes showed promise

Cook made three centuries on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to British conditions for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29

On nought not out following day two in the third match versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the resolution by drowning sorrows," he reveals

Decisive Instance

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

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests in Australia

Come the first Test in Brisbane, they faced three wickets from Siddle

Historic Partnership

An hour before day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and proceeded with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember the messages, our conversations," recalls Cook

The left-handers added 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton in Australia for 82 years

Total Command

England capitalised on an astonishing first morning during the following Test at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

He continued his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The environment was electric," Cook remembers

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his Test career included further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|