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Brisbane hasn't been a location providing England badly required Ashes optimism

After defeat by the Australian side in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back before heading to the famous Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986

Men wearing three lions have habitually been easy prey at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Achievement

Among a recent history of English disappointments, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration provided by a cricket hero

It is exactly a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series in this country

England won 3-1, where each success by an innings

They have not won success at this venue since that memorable series

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following the 2009 series in the UK

Despite English victory, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings above 50

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality creates the sensation that you must contribute adequately," he states

Skill Development

Shortly after the celebrations, he was back facing countless deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

The initial results showed promise

The batsman achieved three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to England during the 2010 season, the batsman struggled significantly

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29

Without runs following the second day's play in the third match versus Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced it might be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting at the bar, seeking the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 secured his place in the squad down under

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before day three's conclusion, both batsmen started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and followed up through a demonstration etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance by an Englishman down under for 82 years

Total Command

England capitalised on an incredible start of the second Test at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane success with 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

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

What followed was possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket in Australia

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, on the holiday, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, that defined it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The question was not whether England would triumph the game and series, rather when

"The environment was electric," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of complete happiness"

Legacy and Recognition

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons in his international career included other milestones

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|