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

Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, England have to bounce back for a trip to the famous Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed for over thirty years

English cricketers have often become lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

Cook's Memorable Triumph

Within recent memory of English disappointments, dreams and bodies is a source of inspiration delivered by an exceptional player

Today commemorates 15 years since Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba with a career-defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test of 2010-11 establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph on Australian soil over nearly four decades

Record-Breaking Performance

It was the beginning of the victorious Australian campaign; three centuries totaling 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman to score more runs during a Test series on Australian soil

England won 3-1, with all victories by an innings

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

Personal Reflections

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

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part in a tournament that saw the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match were won by an innings"

Path to Success

His journey to down under success began 18 months earlier after the 2009 series in the UK

Despite English victory, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty

He wanted more

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he states

Skill Development

Two days after the celebrations, he was back at work facing countless bowls during training with Graham Gooch

Early outcomes proved positive

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

Pivotal Instances

When Cook returned to England for the 2010 summer, the batsman performed poorly

Across eight appearances against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score reached only 29

Without runs at the end of the second day during the final Test versus Pakistan in London, Cook believed this would be his final Test performance before being dropped

"There I was in the bar, attempting to discover the answer through drinking," he admits

Decisive Instance

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations through successful warm-ups of their warm-up games down under

Come the first Test at the Gabba, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the end of the third day, both batsmen opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and followed up with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

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

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance by an Englishman in Australia for 82 years

Complete Control

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

When Anderson also nicked off Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

Ultimate Victory

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

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day during Ashes competition down under

At the MCG, the massive stadium of Australian sport, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were dismissed for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. There was disbelief as the day ended," recalls Cook

The Final Victory

Fuelled by the focus to win the urn, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings on Australian soil

The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph both match and urn, but when

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Legacy and Recognition

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons of his Test career were illuminated by further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|