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

Following the loss to the Australian side at the series start, the visiting team have to bounce back for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for decades

English cricketers have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story provided by a shining knight

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win down under in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of his successful tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals during a Test series on Australian soil

England won 3-1, where each success through innings victories

England hasn't achieved a Test here since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"People overlook the difficult moments, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under with every match was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier following the 2009 series in England

Though England triumphed, Cook had an average below 25 with just one score above 50

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, individual contribution creates the sensation that personal responsibility matters," he notes

Technical Transformation

Shortly after the celebrations, he returned hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundreds on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

After coming back to British conditions during the 2010 season, the batsman struggled significantly

During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

Scoreless overnight after day two during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed he was playing his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"I found myself in the hospitality area, trying to find the resolution through drinking," he confesses

Critical Moment

His century secured his place on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests down under

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they faced a Siddle hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to the third day's close, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps and followed up with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"I don't remember the messages, our discussions," says Cook

The opening pair contributed 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years

Complete Control

England capitalised on an astonishing first morning in the second match in South Australia

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

Cook followed up his Brisbane success by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc from future encounters

Then came possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of sports down under, and on Boxing Day, the Australian team collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook was at it again at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, rather when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"When Tremlett got the last player to claim triumph, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The remaining seven years in his international career were illuminated by further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|