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The Queensland capital isn't a city to give England some much-needed confidence in the series

After defeat by the hosts at the series start, England must stir themselves for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

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

Cook's Memorable Triumph

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

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series paving England's path for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Record-Breaking Performance

This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals throughout a campaign down under

England won 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

The team hasn't secured a Test here since that historic campaign

Personal Reflections

"You forget the tough times, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 down under and all three games were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road to down under success started a year and a half before at the end of the 2009 Ashes on home soil

England won, the opener averaged less than 25 managing only one innings over fifty

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he states

Technical Transformation

Two days after the triumphant events, he was back at work facing countless bowls during training under Graham Gooch's guidance

Early outcomes were encouraging

Cook made three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to England for that year's summer, Cook had a "stinker"

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

Without runs following day two of the third Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

"I was sitting at the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals

The Turning Point

Cook's 110 secured his place in the squad down under

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches down under

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

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

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," says Cook

The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton in Australia since the 1930s

Total Command

England exploited a remarkable opening session during the following Test at Adelaide

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Brisbane success with 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

Series Conclusion

England could have retained the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day in Ashes history on Australian soil

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. There was disbelief at the end of the day," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG

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

The question was not whether England would triumph the game and series, but the timing

"The environment was electric," Cook remembers

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to claim triumph, it represented an instant of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons in his international career featured other milestones

Following his international retirement, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|