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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team badly required hope for the Ashes

After defeat by Australia during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves before heading to the famous Gabba, a stadium where England have not won for decades

English cricketers have frequently been easy prey at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Within recent memory of dashed English dreams, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by an exceptional player

It is exactly 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, saving the first Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three centuries and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals throughout a campaign in this country

England won 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

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

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern that went into that," the cricketer reflects

"I reflect proudly. I made an important impact in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory down under with every match came through innings wins"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road toward Australian glory began 18 months earlier after that year's Ashes in England

England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings with just one score above 50

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, individual contribution does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he states

Skill Development

Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results were encouraging

Cook made three hundreds during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to England for the 2010 summer, the batsman performed poorly

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

On nought not out at the end of the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook was convinced this would be his last Test innings ahead of potential omission

"There I was in the bar, seeking the solution by drowning sorrows," he confesses

The Turning Point

The 110-run innings ensured his position in the squad down under

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

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

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

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"I cannot recall the messages, our conversations," says Cook

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

His unbeaten 235 was the highest score from an English player down under since the 1930s

Complete Control

England capitalised on a remarkable opening session of the second Test in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane success by scoring 148 during a memorable Test highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

What followed was possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, on the holiday, the home side were dismissed for 98

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

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again at the SCG

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

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

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to win the match, it was a moment of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

The subsequent seven years of his Test career featured further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|