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Brisbane is not a city to give the Three Lions crucial Ashes optimism

After defeat by the hosts in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to the Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for over thirty years

Players representing England have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Triumph

Within recent memory of English disappointments, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story delivered by a shining knight

This marks 15 years since Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win in Australia during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs in a series on Australian soil

England won 3-1, with every win by an innings

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that historic campaign

Personal Reflections

"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 in Australia with every match came through innings wins"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series in the UK

England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Skill Development

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back at work practicing numerous deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

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

Pivotal Instances

When Cook returned to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

Without runs after the second day in the third match against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

"I found myself at the bar, trying to find the solution by drowning sorrows," he admits

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one in practice matches on Australian soil

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

Record-Breaking Stand

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

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps then continued through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore

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

Both left-handed batsmen added 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years

Complete Control

The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning of the second Test in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition in Australia

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of sports down under, on the holiday, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

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

Series Conclusion

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

His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings during Australian Tests

The question was not whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

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

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons in his international career included further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|