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The Queensland capital isn't a location providing England badly required Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to the hosts in the first Test, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for decades

Men wearing three lions have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Success

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by a cricket hero

It is exactly 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs throughout a campaign in this country

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"You forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a series when England triumphed 3-1 down under with every match were won by an innings"

Journey to Excellence

The path toward Australian glory commenced well before following that year's Ashes on home soil

Despite English victory, the opener scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he states

Technical Transformation

Two days after the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch

Early outcomes showed promise

He scored three centuries on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, the batsman had a "stinker"

During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight following the second day's play of the third Test versus Pakistan in London, Cook believed he was playing his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting in the bar, trying to find the resolution through drinking," he admits

The Turning Point

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

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under

As the opening match began at the famous ground, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Just before the end of the third day, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

The opening pair added 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player in Australia for 82 years

Total Command

England exploited an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

He continued his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief when play concluded," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

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

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

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years of his Test career featured further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|