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

Following the loss to Australia during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to the Gabba, a stadium where victory has eluded England since 1986

Players representing England have frequently been outmatched opponents at this challenging venue

The Inspirational Success

Throughout modern times of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story provided by a cricket hero

This marks a decade and a half after Sir Alastair Cook conquered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test during that famous series and setting England on course toward their sole series victory down under over nearly four decades

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of his successful Australian campaign; three centuries totaling 766 runs

Cricket great Hammond remains the sole English player with higher run totals throughout a campaign down under

England won 3-1, where each success through innings victories

England hasn't achieved a Test here since those glory days

Personal Reflections

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," the cricketer reflects

"With pride I remember. I played a significant part during a campaign where England triumphed 3-1 on Australian soil and all three games was achieved comprehensively"

The Road to Greatness

His journey to down under success started a year and a half before following that year's Ashes in the UK

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

He sought improvement

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance creates the sensation that you must contribute adequately," he states

Skill Development

Two days after the celebrations, he was back at work hitting hundreds and hundreds deliveries in practice with Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

He scored three hundred-run innings during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

When Cook returned to England during the 2010 season, the left-hander performed poorly

In eight innings versus Bangladesh and Pakistan, his best performance reached only 29

On nought not out following the second day in the third match facing Pakistan at the famous ground, Cook believed this would be his last Test innings before being dropped

"I was sitting in the bar, attempting to discover the resolution in the bottom of a beer bottle," he confesses

Critical Moment

Cook's 110 guaranteed his seat for the Australian tour

England continued their preparations with two victories and one draw in practice matches down under

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

Memorable Collaboration

Shortly prior to the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings with a deficit of 221 runs

They reached 19-0 at stumps and followed up with a performance engraved in cricket memory

"My memory doesn't retain any instructions, our discussions," recalls Cook

The left-handers accumulated 188 runs for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal represented the top score by an Englishman down under for 82 years

Series Dominance

The English took advantage of an astonishing first morning of the second Test in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the Australian batsman, the hosts stood at 2-3 and couldn't recover

Cook followed up his Brisbane heroics by scoring 148 in a famous match highlighting Pietersen's dominance over the Australian bowling

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, however Johnson to preview the destruction he would cause four years later

The subsequent events included possibly England's finest day in Ashes history on Australian soil

In Melbourne, the enormous ground of sports down under, on the holiday, the home side were blown away for 98

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, that defined it. Amazement prevailed as the day ended," recalls Cook

Ultimate Success

Driven by determination to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

His score of 189 contributed to England's 644, their record innings during Australian Tests

The debate didn't concern if England would win both match and urn, but the timing

"The feeling was unbelievable," Cook remembers

"After Tremlett dismissed the final batsman to win the match, that was a time of pure elation"

Historical Significance

Cook was player of the series

The following seven seasons of his cricket journey were illuminated by further accomplishments

Following his international retirement, he received a knighthood for services to cricket

"{I couldn't have played any better|