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The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the English team some much-needed confidence in the series

Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, the visiting team need to regroup for a trip to the Gabba, a ground where England have not won since 1986

English cricketers have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Success

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration delivered by a shining knight

It is exactly 15 years since Sir Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 not out, rescuing the opening match from the 2010-11 series paving England's path to their only Ashes series win down under over nearly four decades

Record-Breaking Performance

It commenced of the victorious Australian campaign; three hundreds accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs throughout a campaign down under

The English triumphed 3-1, with all victories through innings victories

They have not won a Test here since that memorable series

Personal Reflections

"People overlook the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. My contribution was substantial in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia where each victory was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

The path toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of that year's Ashes in England

England won, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings exceeding half-century

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he notes

Skill Development

Two days after the victory celebrations, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances were encouraging

Cook made three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

Upon his return to England for that year's summer, Cook struggled significantly

In eight innings against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings reached only 29

Without runs following the second day's play of the third Test facing Pakistan at The Oval, Cook believed he was playing his final Test performance before being dropped

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, trying to find the solution by drowning sorrows," he admits

Critical Moment

His century secured his place on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches in Australia

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

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

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

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs together

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

Complete Control

England exploited an astonishing first morning of the second Test at Adelaide

Following Anderson's additional wicket the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the opposition bowlers

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble that would come later

What followed was possibly England's finest day during Ashes competition in Australia

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, on the holiday, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," recalls Cook

Series Conclusion

Motivated by purpose to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the Sydney Cricket Ground

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

The question was not if England would win the match and the Ashes, rather when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years in his international career included further accomplishments

After retiring internationally, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|