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Brisbane is not a place that offers England crucial hope for the Ashes

After defeat by Australia at the series start, the visiting team need to regroup for a trip to the famous Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986

Players representing England have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration provided by a shining knight

This marks the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 paving England's path toward their sole series victory on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs in a series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win through innings victories

The team hasn't secured success at this venue since those glory days

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw England won 3-1 down under where each victory came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after the 2009 Ashes on home soil

England won, the opener had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Game Improvement

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes showed promise

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Career-Defining Moments

After coming back to England for that year's summer, the batsman struggled significantly

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

Without runs at the end of the second day during the final Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed this would be his concluding international appearance prior to selection

"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

Decisive Instance

His century secured his place on the plane to Australia

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

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they faced three wickets from Siddle

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, both batsmen began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

They reached 19-0 by day's end then continued with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember the messages, our discussions," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen added 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score achieved by a Briton down under since the 1930s

Complete Control

The English took advantage of an incredible start during the following Test in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

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

What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history in Australia

At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

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

His 189 helped England reach 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern if victory would come both match and urn, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

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

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years in his international career were illuminated by additional achievements

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|