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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers England badly required hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to Australia at the series start, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to the famous Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale delivered by a shining knight

This marks 15 years since the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 without loss, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals in a series on Australian soil

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories

They have not won a Test here since that historic campaign

Personal Reflections

"You forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory down under with every match was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road to down under success commenced well before following that year's Ashes in England

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

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, personal performance creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he notes

Game Improvement

Two days after the triumphant events, he returned facing countless bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to England during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"

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

On nought not out at the end of the second day in the third match facing Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain this would be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting in the bar, trying to find the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings ensured his position on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games on Australian soil

When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

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

"I don't remember specific guidance, our discussions," Cook remembers

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s

Total Command

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

When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Brisbane success by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history on Australian soil

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," Cook remembers

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers

"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons in his international career featured additional achievements

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|