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The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the English team crucial confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to Australia at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for decades

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

The Inspirational Achievement

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale achieved by a shining knight

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 not out, rescuing the opening match during that famous series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs during a Test series on Australian soil

England won 3-1, with every win by an innings

The team hasn't secured success at this venue since that memorable series

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook recalls

"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a series when England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series in England

England won, Cook had an average below 25 with just one score exceeding half-century

He wanted more

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he states

Skill Development

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back practicing numerous bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes were encouraging

He scored three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to England for the 2010 summer, the batsman performed poorly

Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight at the end of day two during the final Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced this would be his last Test innings prior to selection

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

Decisive Instance

Cook's 110 secured his place on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests down under

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they faced three wickets from Siddle

Historic Partnership

An hour before day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss started the English reply trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

The opening pair added 188 together

The 235 without dismissal was the highest score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years

Complete Control

The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session of the second Test in Adelaide

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

He continued his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," recalls Cook

Series Conclusion

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come both match and urn, but when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed Michael Beer to win the match, that was a time of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey featured other milestones

Following his international retirement, he was honored for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|