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The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the Three Lions some much-needed confidence in the series

Following the loss to the hosts in the first Test, England must stir themselves before heading to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where victory has eluded England for decades

English cricketers have frequently been easy prey in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Success

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, aspirations and players is a source of inspiration provided by a cricket hero

Today commemorates a decade and a half after the legendary Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark 235 not out, saving the first Test of 2010-11 and setting England on course toward their sole series victory in Australia in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

It was the beginning of Cook's triumphant circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores accumulating 766 runs

The legendary Hammond stands as the only Briton to score more runs throughout a campaign on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, where each success by an innings

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

Looking Back

"People overlook the tough times, the tension and worry accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part during a campaign where England won 3-1 on Australian soil where each victory came through innings wins"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes in England

Though England triumphed, the opening batsman scored under 25 per innings achieving merely one performance exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance generates the feeling that personal responsibility matters," he states

Game Improvement

Two days after the victory celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results showed promise

The batsman achieved three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours in South Africa and Bangladesh

Pivotal Instances

Upon his return to home soil during the 2010 season, Cook had a "stinker"

During eight batting opportunities versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight after the second day in the third match facing Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain this would be his concluding international appearance ahead of potential omission

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, seeking the answer by drowning sorrows," he admits

Critical Moment

His century ensured his position on the plane to Australia

Preparation continued with two victories and one draw of their warm-up games on Australian soil

When the first Test arrived at the famous ground, they were hit by Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Historic Partnership

An hour before the third day's close, Cook and Strauss started the English reply with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 when play concluded then continued with an exhibition etched in Ashes folklore

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, anything of what we spoke about," Cook remembers

Both left-handed batsmen accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score from an English player down under for 82 years

Series Dominance

The English took advantage of a remarkable opening session in the second match in South Australia

Following Anderson's additional wicket Michael Clarke, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

He continued his Brisbane success through a 148-run innings in a Test remembered for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

The Final Triumph

England could have retained the urn in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to foreshadow the havoc he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included perhaps England's single greatest day in Ashes history in Australia

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If perfection existed for Boxing Day, it was that. Incredulity reigned at the end of the day," says Cook

The Final Victory

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their best score in a Test in Australia

The question was not whether England would triumph both match and urn, rather when

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got the last player to claim triumph, that was a time of pure elation"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years of his cricket journey included further accomplishments

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

"{I couldn't have played any better|