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Brisbane is not a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed Ashes optimism

Following the loss to the hosts at the series start, England need to regroup before heading to the famous Gabba, a stadium where England have not won since 1986

Men wearing three lions have often become outmatched opponents in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story provided by an exceptional player

It is exactly 15 years since Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win on Australian soil in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs during a Test series down under

Victory came 3-1, with all victories by an innings

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

Personal Reflections

"You forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry that went into that," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia and all three games came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

The path to down under success began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 series on home soil

Though England triumphed, Cook had an average below 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he explains

Technical Transformation

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

The initial results were encouraging

Cook made three hundreds on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings reached only 29

On nought not out following the second day's play of the third Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain he was playing his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting in the bar, attempting to discover the answer by drowning sorrows," he admits

Critical Moment

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

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

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

Memorable Collaboration

Just before day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps and proceeded with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

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

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs together

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player on Australian soil for 82 years

Series Dominance

The English took advantage of an incredible start during the following Test in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance in Ashes history in Australia

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," says Cook

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more in Sydney

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the last player to win the match, it represented an instant of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey featured further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|