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Brisbane is not a place that offers England some much-needed Ashes optimism

After defeat by the Australian side during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup ahead of visiting the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

English cricketers have habitually been lambs to the slaughter at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Within recent memory of English disappointments, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale provided by a cricket hero

This marks a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil

England won 3-1, with every win by an innings

England hasn't achieved a Test victory there since that memorable series

Cook's Memories

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

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw England triumphed 3-1 in Australia and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

The path toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier after that year's Ashes in England

Though England triumphed, Cook averaged less than 25 with just one score over fifty

He wanted more

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he explains

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances were encouraging

He scored three hundreds on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to British conditions during the 2010 season, Cook struggled significantly

During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his top innings was 29

Without runs after day two during the final Test facing Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

"There I was in the bar, seeking the answer through drinking," he reveals

Critical Moment

His century ensured his position on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

Shortly prior to the third day's close, the opening pair opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and followed up through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

Both left-handed batsmen added 188 together

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton on Australian soil for 82 years

Total Command

England exploited an astonishing first morning during the following Test in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success with 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition on Australian soil

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

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Incredulity reigned when play concluded," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more in Sydney

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

The debate didn't concern if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, that was a time of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey were illuminated by other milestones

Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|