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Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to the Australian side at the series start, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting the Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986

English cricketers have often become outmatched opponents at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by a shining knight

It is exactly 15 years since the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals during a Test series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

They have not won a Test victory there since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a series when England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings"

Journey to Excellence

The path toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier following the 2009 Ashes in the UK

England won, the opener averaged less than 25 with just one score exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states

Skill Development

Shortly after the triumphant events, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances showed promise

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

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to home soil during the 2010 season, Cook performed poorly

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

On nought not out at the end of day two in the third match against Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"There I was at the bar, seeking the resolution through drinking," he confesses

The Turning Point

His century ensured his position for the Australian tour

The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches on Australian soil

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

Historic Partnership

An hour before the third day's close, both batsmen started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and proceeded with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall the messages, our discussions," recalls Cook

The opening pair accumulated 188 runs together

His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years

Series Dominance

England exploited a remarkable opening session in the second match in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history in Australia

At the MCG, the massive stadium of sports down under, on the holiday, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. There was disbelief when play concluded," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more in Sydney

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings during Australian Tests

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to claim triumph, it represented an instant of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years in his international career included additional achievements

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|