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Brisbane is not a place that offers England badly required hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to the Australian side in the first Test, the visiting team need to regroup before heading to the famous Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for decades

Players representing England have often become easy prey at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Success

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a shining knight

It is exactly a decade and a half after Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs in a series in this country

England won 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins

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

Personal Reflections

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

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil where each victory was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

His journey toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series on home soil

Though England triumphed, the opener scored under 25 per innings with just one score exceeding half-century

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Skill Development

Two days after the victory celebrations, he returned practicing numerous deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

He scored three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to home soil during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings reached only 29

On nought not out following the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance prior to selection

"I found myself at the bar, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he admits

Decisive Instance

Cook's 110 ensured his position on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our discussions," Cook remembers

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman in Australia in eight decades

Complete Control

England exploited an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

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

At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

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

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

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons of his Test career were illuminated by other milestones

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|