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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the Three Lions some much-needed Ashes optimism

After defeat by Australia at the series start, England need to regroup before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won since 1986

English cricketers have habitually been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Achievement

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration achieved by an exceptional player

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil during recent memory

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three centuries and 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved a Test here since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

The path to down under success started a year and a half before at the end of that year's Ashes on home soil

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he states

Skill Development

Shortly after the triumphant events, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances showed promise

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

Crucial Turning Points

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

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

Scoreless overnight following day two of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance prior to selection

"I found myself at the bar, trying to find the resolution through drinking," he reveals

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings ensured his position on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games on Australian soil

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

Just before the third day's close, both batsmen started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

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

"I don't remember specific guidance, our discussions," Cook remembers

Both left-handed batsmen added 188 for the first wicket

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score from an English player down under in eight decades

Series Dominance

England exploited an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane success with 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. There was disbelief as the day ended," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

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

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the game and series, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

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

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years of his cricket journey featured other milestones

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|