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Brisbane hasn't been a city to give the Three Lions some much-needed confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, England have to bounce back for a trip to the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

Men wearing three lions have often become lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Success

Among a recent history of English disappointments, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by an exceptional player

This marks 15 years since the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba through a defining unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory in Australia in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of his successful tour of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs

Wally Hammond stands as the only Briton who has made more runs in a series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins

They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the tough times, the tension and worry that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

The path to his Australian epic started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes in England

England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings with just one score over fifty

He wanted more

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

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the victory celebrations, he was back facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

Cook made three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to home soil for the 2010 summer, the left-hander performed poorly

Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

On nought not out after day two in the third match against Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain it might be his last Test innings before being dropped

"I found myself at the bar, attempting to discover the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

Critical Moment

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

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches on Australian soil

When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before day three's conclusion, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with a performance remembered in Ashes history

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

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton on Australian soil since the 1930s

Total Command

The English took advantage of an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success by scoring 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket in Australia

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

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

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly in Sydney

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings on Australian soil

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of pure elation"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years in his international career included further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|