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The Queensland capital isn't a place that offers the Three Lions some much-needed confidence in the series

In the wake of losing to Australia in the first Test, England need to regroup ahead of visiting Brisbane's Gabba, a ground where the English haven't triumphed since 1986

Men wearing three lions have frequently been outmatched opponents at this challenging venue

A Shining Knight's Achievement

Among a recent history of English disappointments, hopes and athletes is a source of inspiration achieved by a cricket hero

It is exactly 15 years since Alastair Cook dominated in Brisbane with a career-defining unbeaten 235, rescuing the opening match during that famous series establishing England's trajectory for their unique Ashes triumph down under in the past 38 years

Unforgettable Series

This marked the start of his successful tour of Australia; three hundreds and 766 runs

The legendary Hammond is the only Englishman with higher run totals throughout a campaign on Australian soil

Victory came 3-1, with every win by an innings

They have not won success at this venue since that historic campaign

Cook's Memories

"People overlook the tough times, the apprehension and concern that went into that," Cook remembers

"I reflect proudly. 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"

Journey to Excellence

Cook's road to down under success started a year and a half before following the 2009 series in England

England won, the opener averaged less than 25 achieving merely one performance over fifty

He desired better

"While cricket involves teamwork, personal performance creates the sensation like you want to pull your weight," he notes

Game Improvement

Two days after the celebrations, he was back hitting hundreds and hundreds of balls in the nets with Graham Gooch

The initial results were encouraging

He scored three centuries during winter tours against South African and Bangladeshi teams

Crucial Turning Points

After coming back to home soil for that year's summer, the left-hander had a "stinker"

Across eight appearances facing these opponents, his top innings totaled just 29 runs

Scoreless overnight after day two during the final Test against Pakistan in London, the batsman felt certain this would be his final Test performance before being dropped

"I was sitting in the hospitality area, attempting to discover the solution through drinking," he admits

Critical Moment

His century ensured his position in the squad down under

The team maintained preparations by winning two and drawing one in practice matches down under

Come the first Test at the famous ground, they encountered a Siddle hat-trick

Historic Partnership

Just before day three's conclusion, the opening pair began England's second batting effort trailing by 221 runs

The score stood at 19-0 by day's end and proceeded with an exhibition remembered in Ashes history

"My memory doesn't retain the messages, our discussions," says Cook

Both left-handed batsmen contributed 188 together

His unbeaten 235 stood as the best performance achieved by a Briton down under in eight decades

Total Command

England exploited an incredible start in the second match in Adelaide

After Anderson also dismissed the opposition player, Australia were 2-3 and struggled throughout

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

Series Conclusion

Victory was possible the urn in Perth, however Johnson to foreshadow the havoc that would come later

The subsequent events included arguably England's best performance during Ashes competition in Australia

In Melbourne, the massive stadium of sports down under, on the holiday, the hosts collapsed to 98 all out

"If Carlsberg did Boxing Days, it was that. Incredulity reigned as the day ended," says Cook

Ultimate Success

Fuelled by the focus to secure the Ashes, Cook excelled once more at the SCG

The 189-run innings lifted England to 644, their highest total in a Test in Australia

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

"The atmosphere was incredible," recalls Cook

"Following Tremlett's wicket of the last player to secure victory, it represented an instant of complete happiness"

Legacy and Recognition

The batsman received top accolades

The remaining seven years in his international career were illuminated by other milestones

Post-cricket career, Cook was knighted for sporting achievements

"{I couldn't have played any better|