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Brisbane is not a location providing England some much-needed hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to the Australian side in the first Test, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the famous Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years

English cricketers have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

Cook's Memorable Achievement

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by a cricket hero

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory on Australian soil during recent memory

Record-Breaking Performance

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs

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

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

The team hasn't secured a Test here since those glory days

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the challenging periods, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 down under and all three games were won by an innings"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in England

Despite English victory, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 with just one score exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he states

Game Improvement

Two days after the triumphant events, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes showed promise

He scored three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Career-Defining Moments

When Cook returned to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook struggled significantly

During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his highest score was 29

Scoreless overnight following the second day of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain this would be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"There I was in the hospitality area, trying to find the resolution by drowning sorrows," he reveals

Critical Moment

His century ensured his position for the Australian tour

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests down under

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

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the third day's close, both batsmen started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and proceeded with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"I cannot recall the messages, our discussions," recalls Cook

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 together

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years

Total Command

England capitalised on an astonishing first morning of the second Test at Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Brisbane success by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

England could have retained the series in Western Australia, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition in Australia

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian sport, on the holiday, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief when play concluded," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook excelled once more in Sydney

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph the game and series, but when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years in his international career were illuminated by further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|