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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the English team crucial confidence in the series

Following the loss to the hosts at the series start, England need to regroup ahead of visiting the Gabba, a stadium where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

Men wearing three lions have often become easy prey in Brisbane

The Inspirational Achievement

Within recent memory of broken English hopes, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story provided by a shining knight

Today commemorates a decade and a half after Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match during that famous series establishing England's trajectory toward their sole series victory down under in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of the victorious tour of Australia; three hundreds totaling 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player to score more runs in a series down under

England won 3-1, where each success via comprehensive wins

They have not won a Test victory there since that memorable series

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. My contribution was substantial during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory down under and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before after the 2009 series in the UK

England won, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings with just one score over fifty

He desired better

"Cricket is a team game, individual contribution generates the feeling like you want to pull your weight," he notes

Technical Transformation

Shortly after the victory celebrations, he was back facing countless of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

Beginning performances proved positive

The batsman achieved three hundreds on the 2009-10 winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

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

Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight after day two of the third Test against Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings before being dropped

"There I was in the bar, attempting to discover the solution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he reveals

Decisive Instance

His century secured his place on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued by winning two and drawing one during preparatory contests down under

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the third day's close, both batsmen began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps and proceeded with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

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

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs together

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years

Complete Control

The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session during the following Test in South Australia

When Anderson also nicked off the Australian batsman, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a famous match for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian bowling

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

What followed was perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history on Australian soil

At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian sport, and on Boxing Day, the hosts were dismissed for 98

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

Series Conclusion

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His 189 lifted England to 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

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

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to secure victory, that was a time of absolute joy"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his Test career included other milestones

Post-cricket career, he received a knighthood for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|