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Brisbane is not a place that offers England some much-needed confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

English cricketers have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

Cook's Memorable Success

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration delivered by a shining knight

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win in Australia in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

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

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs in a series down under

The English triumphed 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

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

Looking Back

"You forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia and all three games came through innings wins"

Path to Success

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

Despite English victory, Cook averaged less than 25 managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, the individuality creates the sensation that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Skill Development

Shortly after the celebrations, he was back practicing numerous deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

He scored three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

Without runs at the end of day two during the final Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting in the bar, seeking the resolution through drinking," he reveals

The Turning Point

His century guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests on Australian soil

As the opening match began at the famous ground, they faced three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the end of the third day, the opening pair opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

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

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

Cook's 235 not out represented the top score by an Englishman down under in eight decades

Series Dominance

England exploited an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the series in Western Australia, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

Then came possibly England's finest day in Ashes history in Australia

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 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, it was that. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," says Cook

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His score of 189 lifted England to 644, their best score during Australian Tests

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

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got the final batsman to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The following seven seasons in his international career featured other milestones

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|