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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the English team crucial hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to the hosts during the opening match, England must stir themselves ahead of visiting the Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986

Players representing England have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero

It is exactly a decade and a half after the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil during recent memory

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

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

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory down under with every match came through innings wins"

The Road to Greatness

The path toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series on home soil

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance above 50

He desired better

"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Game Improvement

Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back at work practicing numerous deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundreds during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly

Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs

Without runs after the second day's play in the third match facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance prior to selection

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

Decisive Instance

Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued through successful warm-ups in practice matches down under

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

Historic Partnership

An hour before day three's conclusion, the opening pair started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and proceeded with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

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

The left-handers contributed 188 for the first wicket

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman down under in eight decades

Series Dominance

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

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

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

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

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under

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

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

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score on Australian soil

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to win the match, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years in his international career included further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|