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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to the Australian side during the opening match, the tourists need to regroup ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades

Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Triumph

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

It is exactly a decade and a half after Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining 235 without loss, saving the first Test during that famous series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals in a series in this country

England won 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

They have not won a Test here since that memorable series

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the challenging periods, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road to down under success started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes in the UK

Despite English victory, Cook had an average below 25 managing only one innings above 50

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results showed promise

The batsman achieved three hundreds during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to home soil for the 2010 summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29

Scoreless overnight after day two of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

"There I was in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he reveals

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 ensured his position for the Australian tour

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests on Australian soil

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss 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 remembered in Ashes history

"I don't remember specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

The opening pair accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman down under since the 1930s

Complete Control

England exploited an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a Test remembered highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

England could have retained the urn in Perth, however Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His 189 lifted England to 644, their best score on Australian soil

The question was not if victory would come the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to claim triumph, that was a time of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years of his Test career featured further accomplishments

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

"{I couldn't have played any better|