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

Following the loss to the Australian side in the first Test, England must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England since 1986

Players representing England have often become lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Achievement

Within recent memory of English disappointments, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale achieved by an exceptional player

It is exactly 15 years since the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win down under during recent memory

Record-Breaking Performance

This marked the start of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs

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

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

England hasn't achieved a Test here since those glory days

Looking Back

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

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games came through innings wins"

Path to Success

The path to his Australian epic commenced well before after that year's Ashes in England

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

He wanted more

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he notes

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances showed promise

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

Crucial Turning Points

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

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29

Without runs at the end of day two during the final Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed this would be his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"I was sitting at the bar, attempting to discover the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

Decisive Instance

His century secured his place in the squad down under

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one in practice matches down under

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

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before day three's conclusion, both batsmen began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end then continued with an exhibition engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall the messages, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 together

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score from an English player in Australia for 82 years

Complete Control

England exploited an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered

He continued his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief as the day ended," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings during Australian Tests

The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his Test career were illuminated by additional achievements

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

"{I couldn't have played any better|