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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give England some much-needed hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to the hosts in the first Test, the tourists need to regroup before heading to the Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years

English cricketers have often become outmatched opponents in Brisbane

Cook's Memorable Achievement

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale provided by a cricket hero

It is exactly 15 years since Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It commenced of Cook's triumphant tour of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs

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

Victory came 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

They have not won a Test victory there since that memorable series

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after the 2009 series in the UK

Despite English victory, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance above 50

He wanted more

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Skill Development

Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to home soil during the 2010 season, Cook struggled significantly

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29

Without runs following day two during the final Test versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced it might be his final Test performance before being dropped

"There I was at the bar, trying to find the answer through drinking," he admits

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 ensured his position on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches on Australian soil

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they encountered three wickets from Siddle

Memorable Collaboration

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

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," recalls Cook

Both left-handed batsmen added 188 in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance from an English player down under since the 1930s

Total Command

England exploited an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide

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

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

Then came possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of sports down under, during Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

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

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their best score on Australian soil

The question was not if victory would come both match and urn, but when

"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to win the match, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey were illuminated by further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|