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Brisbane is not a location providing the Three Lions crucial hope for the Ashes

After defeat by Australia at the series start, the visiting team have to bounce back before heading to the Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986

English cricketers have habitually been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Among a recent history of English disappointments, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story delivered by an exceptional player

This marks a decade and a half after the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory down under during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs during a Test series in this country

England won 3-1, with all victories by an innings

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that historic campaign

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier following the 2009 series on home soil

England won, Cook had an average below 25 managing only one innings above 50

He sought improvement

"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution creates the sensation that you must contribute adequately," he states

Technical Transformation

Shortly after the celebrations, he was back facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

The initial results showed promise

Cook made three hundred-run innings during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to home soil for the 2010 summer, the batsman performed poorly

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29

Without runs after the second day of the third Test against Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain he was playing his final Test performance before being dropped

"I was sitting at the bar, seeking the resolution by drowning sorrows," he confesses

The Turning Point

His century ensured his position on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches in Australia

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

An hour before day three's conclusion, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss when play concluded and proceeded with a performance remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall any instructions, our conversations," says Cook

The left-handers contributed 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years

Series Dominance

The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning in the second match at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

England could have retained the urn in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history in Australia

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

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

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their record innings during Australian Tests

The question was not if victory would come the game and series, but the timing

"The environment was electric," says Cook

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

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons in his international career featured additional achievements

After retiring internationally, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|