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Brisbane is not a city to give the English team badly required confidence in the series

After defeat by the Australian side in the first Test, the visiting team need to regroup for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

English cricketers have often become outmatched opponents in Brisbane

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Within recent memory of English disappointments, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story delivered by a cricket hero

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path toward their sole series victory down under in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

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

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals during a Test series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

The team hasn't secured success at this venue since those glory days

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part during a campaign where England won 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

His journey to down under success started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes on home soil

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman had an average below 25 with just one score over fifty

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he states

Technical Transformation

Two days after the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

Cook made three hundred-run innings during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to England for the 2010 summer, Cook struggled significantly

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

Without runs following the second day of the third Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his concluding international appearance prior to selection

"There I was in the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

Critical Moment

His century secured his place in the squad down under

Preparation continued through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games in Australia

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

Memorable Collaboration

Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and proceeded with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember any instructions, our conversations," recalls Cook

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years

Series Dominance

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

After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later

What followed was arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the home side were blown away for 98

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

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

The 189-run innings contributed to England's 644, their best score during Australian Tests

The question was not if victory would come both match and urn, but when

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years of his Test career featured additional achievements

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|