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Brisbane hasn't been a location providing the English team badly required Ashes optimism

After defeat by the Australian side in the first Test, the tourists have to bounce back ahead of visiting the famous Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

English cricketers have frequently been lambs to the slaughter at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Success

Throughout modern times of broken English hopes, dreams and bodies exists a motivational tale achieved by a cricket hero

Today commemorates 15 years since the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark 235 without loss, preserving the initial Test during that famous series and setting England on course to their only Ashes series win down under over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

It commenced of Cook's triumphant Australian campaign; three centuries accumulating 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player who has made more runs throughout a campaign in this country

The English triumphed 3-1, with every win by an innings

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since those glory days

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the challenging periods, the tension and worry that went into that," Cook recalls

"I look back with pride. I played a significant part in a series when England won 3-1 in Australia with every match came through innings wins"

The Road to Greatness

His journey to down under success commenced well before following the 2009 Ashes in the UK

Despite English victory, the opening batsman had an average below 25 with just one score exceeding half-century

He sought improvement

"While cricket involves teamwork, the individuality does make you feel that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Game Improvement

Just 48 hours following the celebrations, he was back facing countless deliveries in practice alongside Graham Gooch

Early outcomes were encouraging

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

Career-Defining Moments

After coming back to home soil for the 2010 summer, Cook had a "stinker"

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

On nought not out after the second day during the final Test facing Pakistan at the famous ground, the batsman felt certain he was playing his last Test innings prior to selection

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

Critical Moment

Cook's 110 ensured his position for the Australian tour

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw during preparatory contests in Australia

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they were hit by a Siddle hat-trick

Record-Breaking Stand

An hour before the third day's close, the opening pair opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss at stumps then continued through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, our conversations," recalls Cook

The left-handers contributed 188 together

His unbeaten 235 represented the top score achieved by a Briton on Australian soil since the 1930s

Total Command

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

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, the hosts stood at 2-3 and never recovered

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

Series Conclusion

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

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

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of Australian cricket, and on Boxing Day, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

"For ideal Boxing Days, it was that. Amazement prevailed at the end of the day," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to win the urn, the batsman performed brilliantly at the Sydney Cricket Ground

His 189 contributed to England's 644, their highest total during Australian Tests

The uncertainty wasn't if victory would come the match and the Ashes, but the timing

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to claim triumph, that was a time of absolute joy"

Enduring Impact

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years of his Test career were illuminated by other milestones

Post-cricket career, he was honored for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|