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The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the Three Lions badly required hope for the Ashes

After defeat by the hosts in the first Test, the visiting team have to bounce back before heading to the famous Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

English cricketers have habitually been easy prey in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Success

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story delivered by a cricket hero

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, rescuing the opening match during that famous series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs in a series down under

England won 3-1, with every win by an innings

They have not won a Test victory there since those glory days

Cook's Memories

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

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil with every match were won by an innings"

Path to Success

The path to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier following the 2009 Ashes in England

Though England triumphed, Cook averaged less than 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states

Game Improvement

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back facing countless of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results were encouraging

Cook made three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29

Scoreless overnight after the second day's play in the third match against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting at the bar, trying to find the solution through drinking," he reveals

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under

When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Just before the third day's close, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss by day's end then continued with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," recalls Cook

The left-handers contributed 188 together

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score by an Englishman down under in eight decades

Total Command

England exploited an astonishing first morning in the second match in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day in Ashes history in Australia

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," says Cook

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again in Sydney

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, it represented an instant of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years of his cricket journey included additional achievements

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|