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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions crucial confidence in the series

After defeat by Australia in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England for decades

Players representing England have frequently been easy prey in Brisbane

The Inspirational Achievement

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale achieved by a shining knight

This marks a decade and a half after Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals in a series in this country

England won 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

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

Looking Back

"You forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory down under and all three games were won by an innings"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 Ashes on home soil

Despite English victory, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook struggled significantly

During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day's play during the final Test facing Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain it might be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

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

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings ensured his position on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before day three's conclusion, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall specific guidance, our discussions," Cook remembers

The left-handers contributed 188 together

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman down under for 82 years

Total Command

England exploited a remarkable opening session during the following Test at Adelaide

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

He continued his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket in Australia

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief as the day ended," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, rather when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"When Tremlett got the final batsman to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey featured other milestones

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|