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Brisbane is not a city to give the Three Lions some much-needed confidence in the series

Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, the visiting team must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades

Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter in Brisbane

The Inspirational Triumph

Within recent memory of English disappointments, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by a shining knight

This marks 15 years since Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

It commenced of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals throughout a campaign on Australian soil

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win by an innings

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"You forget the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 down under and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

The path toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier after the 2009 series in England

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Skill Development

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back practicing numerous of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes showed promise

Cook made three hundreds during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

Scoreless overnight after the second day's play in the third match facing Pakistan in London, Cook believed this would be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I found myself in the bar, seeking the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings secured his place on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests in Australia

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, both batsmen opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and proceeded through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall the messages, our conversations," recalls Cook

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score from an English player in Australia since the 1930s

Series Dominance

England exploited a remarkable opening session of the second Test in Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98

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

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook was at it again in Sydney

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if England would win the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

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

Legacy and Recognition

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons in his international career included other milestones

Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|