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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team crucial hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to the hosts during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England since 1986

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

The Inspirational Achievement

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory down under in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

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

Cricket great Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs in a series on Australian soil

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"You forget the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games came through innings wins"

Path to Success

His journey to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after the 2009 Ashes on home soil

England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back at work facing countless bowls during training alongside Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundreds on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to home soil for the 2010 summer, the left-hander performed poorly

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29

Without runs following the second day in the third match against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his concluding international appearance before being dropped

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

Decisive Instance

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

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches on Australian soil

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Just before the end of the third day, both batsmen began England's second batting effort with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and proceeded with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall the messages, our conversations," Cook remembers

The left-handers contributed 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score from an English player down under since the 1930s

Total Command

The English took advantage of an incredible start during the following Test in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered

He continued his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side were dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years of his Test career featured other milestones

After retiring internationally, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|