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The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the English team some much-needed hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to the Australian side during the opening match, the tourists need to regroup ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England since 1986

English cricketers have frequently been outmatched opponents at this challenging venue

Cook's Memorable Success

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story achieved by an exceptional player

Today commemorates 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match during that famous series paving England's path toward their sole series victory in Australia during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals in a series down under

Victory came 3-1, where each success through innings victories

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

Cook's Memories

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes on home soil

England won, the opener 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 like you want to pull your weight," he states

Game Improvement

Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back at work facing countless of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances proved positive

He scored three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to home soil for that year's summer, the left-hander performed poorly

Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

On nought not out at the end of the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance before being dropped

"I found myself in the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

Decisive Instance

Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat in the squad down under

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches on Australian soil

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

An hour before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," Cook remembers

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil in eight decades

Total Command

England capitalised on an incredible start during the following Test in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

Then came arguably England's best performance in Ashes history on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, on the holiday, the home side were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the SCG

His 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The question was not if England would win the game and series, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to secure victory, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey featured further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he was honored for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|