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The Queensland capital isn't a city to give the Three Lions some much-needed Ashes optimism

Following the loss to the Australian side during the opening match, the tourists must stir themselves for a trip to Brisbane's Gabba, a venue where England have not won for over thirty years

Men wearing three lions have often become outmatched opponents at the Gabbatoir

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Among a recent history of dashed English dreams, hopes and athletes lies an inspirational story achieved by an exceptional player

Today commemorates 15 years since the legendary Cook mastered the Gabba via a landmark unbeaten 235, preserving the initial Test during that famous series establishing England's trajectory to their only Ashes series win down under over nearly four decades

Historic Achievement

It was the beginning of the victorious circumnavigation of Australia; three hundred-plus scores and 766 runs

Wally Hammond is the only Englishman who has made more runs in a series down under

Victory came 3-1, with every win via comprehensive wins

England hasn't achieved success at this venue since that historic campaign

Looking Back

"One tends to forget the challenging periods, the apprehension and concern accompanying that success," Cook remembers

"I look back with pride. I made an important impact in a series when England triumphed 3-1 in Australia where each victory were won by an innings"

Path to Success

Cook's road toward Australian glory commenced well before at the end of the 2009 series in England

Though England triumphed, Cook scored under 25 per innings managing only one innings over fifty

He desired better

"Despite cricket's collective nature, personal performance generates the feeling that you must contribute adequately," he explains

Technical Transformation

Two days after the triumphant events, he returned facing countless of balls in the nets under Graham Gooch's guidance

Beginning performances were encouraging

He scored three centuries on the 2009-10 winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to home soil for the 2010 summer, the batsman struggled significantly

During eight batting opportunities against Bangladesh and Pakistan, his top innings was 29

Without runs at the end of day two of the third Test versus Pakistan at The Oval, Cook was convinced this would be his last Test innings before being dropped

"There I was in the hospitality area, seeking the answer by drowning sorrows," he confesses

The Turning Point

The 110-run innings guaranteed his seat in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one of their warm-up games on Australian soil

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

Memorable Collaboration

Just before the end of the third day, Cook and Strauss opened England's second innings trailing by 221 runs

They achieved 19 without loss by day's end and proceeded through a demonstration remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain specific guidance, anything of what we spoke about," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen added 188 for the first wicket

The 235 without dismissal stood as the best performance by an Englishman on Australian soil for 82 years

Series Dominance

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

When Anderson also nicked off the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and couldn't recover

He continued his Brisbane heroics with 148 in a famous match featuring Pietersen's destruction of the opposition bowlers

The Final Triumph

The English might have secured the Ashes in Perth, but Mitchell Johnson to preview the destruction from future encounters

Then came perhaps England's single greatest day of Ashes cricket in Australia

At the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the massive stadium of Australian cricket, during Boxing Day, the Australian team were blown away for 98

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

The Final Victory

Driven by determination to win the urn, Cook was at it again at the SCG

His 189 helped England reach 644, their record innings in a Test in Australia

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

"The feeling was unbelievable," recalls Cook

"When Tremlett got the final batsman to secure victory, it was a moment of complete happiness"

Enduring Impact

Cook was player of the series

The remaining seven years in his international career featured additional achievements

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for cricket contributions

"{I couldn't have played any better|