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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the English team some much-needed Ashes optimism

After defeat by Australia at the series start, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England since 1986

English cricketers have frequently been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Success

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story provided by an exceptional player

Today commemorates 15 years since the legendary Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match during that famous series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs throughout a campaign down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories by an innings

England hasn't achieved a Test here since those glory days

Cook's Memories

"You forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil with every match was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

His journey to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier following that year's Ashes in the UK

Despite English victory, the opener averaged less than 25 managing only one innings over fifty

He wanted more

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

The initial results showed promise

Cook made three hundred-run innings on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to home soil during the 2010 season, the left-hander had a "stinker"

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

Scoreless overnight after the second day of the third Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook believed he was playing his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, trying to find the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

The Turning Point

His century secured his place for the Australian tour

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches in Australia

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

An hour before day three's conclusion, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," says Cook

The opening pair contributed 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance from an English player in Australia since the 1930s

Complete Control

The English took advantage of an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia

At the MCG, the enormous ground of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook

Series Conclusion

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG

His 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the game and series, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years of his Test career included further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|