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The Queensland capital isn't a location providing the Three Lions crucial hope for the Ashes

In the wake of losing to Australia during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves ahead of visiting the Gabba, a ground where victory has eluded England for over thirty years

English cricketers have habitually been outmatched opponents in Brisbane

A Shining Knight's Triumph

Among a recent history of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale delivered by an exceptional player

Today commemorates the 15th anniversary of Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane via a landmark 235 without loss, rescuing the opening match of 2010-11 and setting England on course for their unique Ashes triumph in Australia during recent memory

Historic Achievement

This marked the start of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three hundreds and 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond stands as the only Briton with higher run totals in a series in this country

Victory came 3-1, with all victories by an innings

The team hasn't secured a Test victory there since that historic campaign

Looking Back

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

"With pride I remember. I made an important impact during a campaign where the English secured a 3-1 victory in Australia with every match were won by an innings"

The Road to Greatness

Cook's road to down under success began 18 months earlier at the end of the 2009 Ashes in England

Despite English victory, the opener scored under 25 per innings with just one score over fifty

He wanted more

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

Technical Transformation

Two days after the victory celebrations, he returned practicing numerous of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

The initial results proved positive

He scored three hundreds on overseas campaigns against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Career-Defining Moments

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

Across eight appearances versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his highest score was 29

Without runs at the end of the second day of the third Test versus Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

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

Critical Moment

His century guaranteed his seat on the plane to Australia

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

As the opening match began in Brisbane, they were hit by three wickets from Siddle

Memorable Collaboration

An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair started the English reply needing to overcome 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps then continued with a performance etched in Ashes folklore

"I don't remember specific guidance, our conversations," says Cook

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs together

Cook's 235 not out stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton on Australian soil in eight decades

Total Command

The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning during the following Test at Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed Michael Clarke, the score read 2-3 and struggled throughout

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics through a 148-run innings during a memorable Test for Kevin Pietersen dismantling the Australian attack

Series Conclusion

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

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day in Ashes history down under

At the MCG, the 100,000-seater cathedral of Australian sport, on the holiday, the hosts were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, this was it. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," Cook remembers

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to claim victory, Cook excelled once more at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His score of 189 helped England reach 644, their best score during Australian Tests

The debate didn't concern whether England would triumph the game and series, but when

"The environment was electric," says Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of Michael Beer to secure victory, that was a time of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The subsequent seven years in his international career included additional achievements

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

"{I couldn't have played any better|