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Brisbane is not a location providing England some much-needed hope for the Ashes

After defeat by the Australian side at the series start, England have to bounce back before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have habitually been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration delivered by a shining knight

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 without loss, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win in Australia in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that memorable series

Looking Back

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

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings"

Path to Success

Cook's road to down under success 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 wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he notes

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results showed promise

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

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his best performance reached only 29

On nought not out after day two of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance ahead of potential omission

"There I was at the bar, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he reveals

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings ensured his position in the squad down under

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games down under

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, both batsmen opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," recalls Cook

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance by an Englishman on Australian soil since the 1930s

Complete Control

England capitalised on a remarkable opening session during the following Test at Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

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

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years of his Test career featured further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|