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

In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, England must stir themselves ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where England have not won for decades

English cricketers have frequently been easy prey in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Success

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies lies an inspirational story provided by an exceptional player

This marks a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, saving the first Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph down under in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs during a Test series in this country

England won 3-1, with all victories via comprehensive wins

They have not won a Test here since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"You forget the difficult moments, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial in a series when the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Path to Success

Cook's road to his Australian epic commenced well before following the 2009 series on home soil

Despite English victory, Cook scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance over fifty

He sought improvement

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution does make you feel like you want to pull your weight," he notes

Technical Transformation

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results showed promise

Cook made three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to England during the 2010 season, the batsman had a "stinker"

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29

Without runs following the second day during the final Test versus Pakistan in London, Cook believed this would be his concluding international appearance prior to selection

"There I was in the bar, seeking the answer through drinking," he admits

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings ensured his position for the Australian tour

England continued their preparations by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests on Australian soil

When the first Test arrived in Brisbane, they encountered three wickets from Siddle

Record-Breaking Stand

Just before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and proceeded through a demonstration engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

The left-handers contributed 188 together

His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton down under for 82 years

Total Command

England capitalised on a remarkable opening session during the following Test at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success with 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

The English might have secured the urn in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction that would come later

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket in Australia

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

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

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His 189 lifted England to 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

The question was not whether England would triumph the game and series, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got the last player to claim triumph, it was a moment of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

He earned series honors

The remaining seven years in his international career were illuminated by additional achievements

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|