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Brisbane hasn't been a location providing England crucial Ashes optimism

After defeat by the hosts at the series start, England need to regroup for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

Men wearing three lions have habitually been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Success

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, aspirations and players lies an inspirational story provided by a shining knight

This marks a decade and a half after Alastair Cook mastered the Gabba through a defining 235 not out, preserving the initial Test from the 2010-11 series and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia in the past 38 years

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of the victorious Australian campaign; three centuries and 766 runs

Wally Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals during a Test series in this country

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

The team hasn't secured a Test here since those glory days

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the tough times, the nervousness and anxiety that went into that," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. I played a significant part during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory down under with every match came through innings wins"

Journey to Excellence

His journey to his Australian epic began 18 months earlier following the 2009 Ashes on home soil

England won, the opener scored under 25 per innings with just one score above 50

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance does make you feel that personal responsibility matters," he explains

Skill Development

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

Early outcomes proved positive

Cook made three hundred-run innings during winter tours to South Africa and Bangladesh

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to British conditions for that year's summer, the left-hander performed poorly

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance was 29

Scoreless overnight after the second day during the final Test against Pakistan in London, Cook believed this would be his final Test performance prior to selection

"I found myself in the bar, seeking the answer in the bottom of a beer bottle," he admits

Decisive Instance

His century ensured his position on the plane to Australia

England continued their preparations through successful warm-ups in practice matches down under

As the opening match began at the Gabba, they faced Peter Siddle's hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the end of the third day, the opening pair began England's second batting effort needing to overcome 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 at stumps and proceeded with a performance remembered in Ashes history

"I don't remember any instructions, our conversations," says Cook

The left-handers contributed 188 for the first wicket

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance by an Englishman on Australian soil in eight decades

Series Dominance

England exploited an astonishing first morning during the following Test in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, the score read 2-3 and never recovered

The batsman proceeded his Queensland achievement with 148 in a Test remembered featuring Pietersen's destruction of the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

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

Then came arguably England's best performance of Ashes cricket on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the home side collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed when play concluded," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Motivated by purpose to claim victory, the batsman performed brilliantly at the SCG

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

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

"The feeling was unbelievable," says Cook

"When Tremlett got Michael Beer to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Historical Significance

The batsman received top accolades

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey featured additional achievements

Following his international retirement, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|