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Brisbane is not a city to give England crucial confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to the hosts in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back before heading to the famous Gabba, a venue where England have not won for decades

Players representing England have frequently been easy prey at the Gabbatoir

The Inspirational Triumph

Among a recent history of English disappointments, hopes and athletes exists a motivational tale achieved by a shining knight

This marks the 15th anniversary of Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, saving the first Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory down under during recent memory

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs in a series on Australian soil

England won 3-1, with every win through innings victories

The team hasn't secured a Test here since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook recalls

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

Path to Success

The path toward Australian glory commenced well before after the 2009 series on home soil

England won, Cook averaged less than 25 with just one score over fifty

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he states

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the triumphant events, he was back facing countless bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundred-run innings during winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities facing these opponents, his highest score was 29

On nought not out at the end of the second day in the third match versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed it might be his final Test performance before being dropped

"There I was in the hospitality area, trying to find the resolution by drowning sorrows," he reveals

The Turning Point

His century guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one in practice matches down under

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Just before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"I cannot recall specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

The opening pair contributed 188 in their partnership

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman down under in eight decades

Series Dominance

The English took advantage of an incredible start in the second match at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

He continued his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Ultimate Victory

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

Then came arguably England's best performance in Ashes history in Australia

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook excelled once more in Sydney

The 189-run innings helped England reach 644, their best score during Australian Tests

The question was not if victory would come the game and series, rather when

"The environment was electric," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to secure victory, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons in his international career included further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|