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Brisbane is not a location providing England crucial hope for the Ashes

After defeat by Australia during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for decades

Men wearing three lions have frequently been easy prey in Brisbane

The Inspirational Achievement

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story provided by a shining knight

It is exactly a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs in a series in this country

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

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that memorable series

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

His journey to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after that year's Ashes on home soil

Despite English victory, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance above 50

He wanted more

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

Game Improvement

Two days after the victory celebrations, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances were encouraging

The batsman achieved three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

Without runs after the second day during the final Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced he was playing his last Test innings before being dropped

"I found myself at the bar, trying to find the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings ensured his position for the Australian tour

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games on Australian soil

Come the first Test in Brisbane, they faced a Siddle hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

Just before day three's conclusion, the opening pair opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and proceeded with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall specific guidance, our conversations," Cook remembers

The opening pair contributed 188 in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years

Total Command

England exploited an incredible start during the following Test in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," Cook remembers

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got the final batsman to win the match, it represented an instant of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his Test career featured further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|