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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give England badly required confidence in the series

Following the loss to the hosts in the first Test, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for over thirty years

English cricketers have habitually been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Triumph

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration delivered by a shining knight

This marks a decade and a half after the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs during a Test series in this country

Victory came 3-1, with every win by an innings

They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

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

Path to Success

The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes in England

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance above 50

He wanted more

"Cricket is a team game, personal performance creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he notes

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back practicing numerous of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances showed promise

The batsman achieved three hundreds on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to home soil during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings was 29

On nought not out after the second day in the third match versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"I found myself at the bar, seeking the solution through drinking," he confesses

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw in practice matches in Australia

As the opening match began at the famous ground, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

An hour before the end of the third day, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps and followed up with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our discussions," says Cook

The left-handers added 188 together

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score from an English player on Australian soil since the 1930s

Series Dominance

England exploited an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Queensland achievement with 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers

Series Conclusion

England could have retained the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later

Then came arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," Cook remembers

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total during Australian Tests

The question was not if England would win the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

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

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey included additional achievements

Post-cricket career, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|