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Brisbane hasn't been a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed Ashes optimism

In the wake of losing to the hosts in the first Test, England must stir themselves ahead of visiting the Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have often become easy prey at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Success

Throughout modern times of English disappointments, aspirations and players exists a motivational tale delivered by a shining knight

This marks a decade and a half after Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane through a defining 235 not out, saving the first Test during that famous series paving England's path toward their sole series victory down under in the past 38 years

Record-Breaking Performance

It commenced of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign down under

The English triumphed 3-1, where each success by an innings

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

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety involved in that achievement," Cook recalls

"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a series when England won 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following the 2009 Ashes in the UK

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings with just one score exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he states

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets alongside Graham Gooch

The initial results proved positive

The batsman achieved three centuries on overseas campaigns in South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to British conditions for the 2010 summer, Cook performed poorly

In eight innings facing these opponents, his best performance was 29

On nought not out after the second day's play in the third match versus Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed he was playing his concluding international appearance before being dropped

"I found myself at the bar, trying to find the answer through drinking," he reveals

Critical Moment

The 110-run innings secured his place on the plane to Australia

The team maintained preparations with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games on Australian soil

As the opening match began at the famous ground, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before day three's conclusion, the opening pair opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 when play concluded and followed up with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"I cannot recall specific guidance, our conversations," Cook remembers

The opening pair accumulated 188 runs together

Cook's 235 not out was the highest score by an Englishman on Australian soil in eight decades

Total Command

England capitalised on a remarkable opening session of the second Test in South Australia

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Queensland achievement by scoring 148 during a memorable Test featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

Series Conclusion

England could have retained the Ashes in Perth, only for Mitchell Johnson to indicate the trouble he would cause four years later

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

At the MCG, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, this was it. There was disbelief as the day ended," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total on Australian soil

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the game and series, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," Cook remembers

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

He earned series honors

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

After retiring internationally, he was honored for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|