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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the English team some much-needed confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to the hosts at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades

Players representing England have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Success

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story delivered by a cricket hero

This marks a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match during that famous series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs in a series down under

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

The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"You forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

The path to down under success started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Despite English victory, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

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

Technical Transformation

Shortly after the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

Early outcomes were encouraging

The batsman achieved three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to British conditions for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

On nought not out at the end of the second day's play during the final Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain it might be his last Test innings prior to selection

"I was sitting in the bar, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he confesses

Critical Moment

Cook's 110 secured his place for the Australian tour

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under

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

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before day three's conclusion, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

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

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

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score from an English player down under in eight decades

Total Command

The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session of the second Test at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

He continued his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket on Australian soil

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98

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

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if England would win the game and series, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"

Legacy and Recognition

He earned series honors

The remaining seven years of his Test career included other milestones

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|