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Brisbane hasn't been a location providing England badly required confidence in the series

After defeat by Australia in the first Test, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades

Players representing England have often become outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

Cook's Memorable Success

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale achieved by a cricket hero

This marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark unbeaten 235, saving the first Test during that famous series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

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

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs in a series down under

Victory came 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved a Test here since that memorable series

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory down under with every match was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

His journey to his Australian epic started a year and a half before at the end of that year's Ashes in England

Despite English victory, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Skill Development

Shortly after the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to home soil during the 2010 season, the batsman had a "stinker"

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29

Scoreless overnight at the end of the second day's play in the third match against Pakistan in London, Cook was convinced he was playing his concluding international appearance prior to selection

"There I was at the bar, seeking the answer by drowning sorrows," he confesses

Decisive Instance

Cook's 110 ensured his position in the squad down under

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups during preparatory contests down under

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they encountered Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, the opening pair started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs

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

"I don't remember any instructions, our discussions," Cook remembers

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance from an English player on Australian soil since the 1930s

Series Dominance

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

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

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket down under

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, Cook was at it again in Sydney

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their highest total during Australian Tests

The debate didn't concern if England would win the game and series, but when

"The environment was electric," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman 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 included further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|