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Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the English team crucial Ashes optimism

Following the loss to the hosts during the opening match, England have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for decades

Men wearing three lions have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale provided by an exceptional player

Today commemorates 15 years since Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

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

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil

England won 3-1, where each success by an innings

They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"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 triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

The path to down under success began 18 months earlier following the 2009 series in the UK

England won, Cook had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He sought improvement

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

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances were encouraging

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 for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29

Without runs at the end of day two during the final Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance prior to selection

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

Critical Moment

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

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches in Australia

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

Shortly prior to the third day's close, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

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

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook

The left-handers contributed 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton in Australia for 82 years

Total Command

The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session during the following Test in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Queensland achievement through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket on Australian soil

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, it was that. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," says Cook

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their record innings on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if England would win the game and series, but the timing

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to secure victory, that was a time of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey included other milestones

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|