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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the English team badly required confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to the Australian side during the opening match, the visiting team have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986

Players representing England have frequently been outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Among a recent history of English disappointments, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale delivered by a cricket hero

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test of 2010-11 paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil during recent memory

Historic Achievement

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

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals in a series down under

England won 3-1, where each success through innings victories

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

Cook's Memories

"You forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England triumphed 3-1 down under where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

The path to down under success started a year and a half before at the end of that year's Ashes in the UK

Despite English victory, the opener had an average below 25 managing only one innings over fifty

He desired better

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results showed promise

He scored three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to England for the 2010 summer, the batsman struggled significantly

In eight innings facing these opponents, his highest score reached only 29

Scoreless overnight following day two of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed this would be his concluding international appearance prior to selection

"I was sitting at the bar, attempting to discover the solution through drinking," he admits

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 ensured his position in the squad down under

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests in Australia

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

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years

Complete Control

England exploited an astonishing first morning of the second Test at Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

He continued his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

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

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance in Ashes history in Australia

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

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

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years of his Test career were illuminated by other milestones

After retiring internationally, he was honored for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|