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The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the Three Lions crucial hope for the Ashes

Following the loss to Australia at the series start, the tourists must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

Men wearing three lions have often become easy prey at the Gabbatoir

Cook's Memorable Success

Among a recent history of English disappointments, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration provided by a shining knight

It is exactly the 15th anniversary of the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test during that famous series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win in Australia during recent memory

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of his successful circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories by an innings

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

Cook's Memories

"You forget the difficult moments, the tension and worry involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact in a series when England triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory came through innings wins"

Path to Success

His journey to his Australian epic started a year and a half before after the 2009 series on home soil

England won, the opening batsman averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states

Technical Transformation

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

The initial results were encouraging

Cook made three hundred-run innings during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to home soil for that year's summer, the batsman had a "stinker"

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

On nought not out at the end of the second day's play of the third Test against Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced he was playing his final Test performance prior to selection

"I was sitting in the bar, seeking the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings ensured his position on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw in practice matches in Australia

When the first Test arrived at the Gabba, they faced three wickets from Siddle

Historic Partnership

Shortly prior to day three's conclusion, the opening pair opened England's second innings needing to overcome 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps and proceeded through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," says Cook

The opening pair added 188 together

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years

Complete Control

The English took advantage of an incredible start of the second Test in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

Ultimate Victory

England could have retained the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble from future encounters

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day of Ashes cricket down under

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. There was disbelief when play concluded," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The uncertainty wasn't whether England would triumph both match and urn, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

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

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years of his cricket journey were illuminated by further accomplishments

Post-cricket career, he was honored for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|