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The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the English team badly required Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to the Australian side at the series start, the tourists need to regroup for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for decades

Men wearing three lions have often become outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

Cook's Memorable Success

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

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

Victory came 3-1, with every win by an innings

They have not won success at this venue since those glory days

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a series when England triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

His journey toward Australian glory started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes in England

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

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he states

Skill Development

Two days after the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless bowls during training with Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

The batsman achieved three centuries during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to home soil during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight after the second day of the third Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed it might be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, trying to find the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals

Decisive Instance

His century secured his place for the Australian tour

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games in Australia

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they faced a Siddle hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and followed up with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," Cook remembers

The opening pair accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player in Australia for 82 years

Total Command

England exploited a remarkable opening session of the second Test in South Australia

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

The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement with 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," says Cook

Ultimate Success

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

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their record innings on Australian soil

The uncertainty wasn't if England would win the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey featured further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|