Digested Ashes: England stand firm
The (expected) early blow
Having won the toss, Joe Root was never likely to do anything other than opt to bat - despite sweaty skies in Brisbane. There was nothing as calamitous about England's start as Steve Harmison's wide in 2006-07 or Andrew Strauss' third-ball duck four years later, but it still did not take long for Australia to strike. In his second over, Mitchell Starc got rid of England's most-experienced batsman, Alastair Cook drawn into nicking to slip. Cue the first bout of night-time nerves: "It was just starting to look like the quietest start to a Gabba Test since 1998-99 ... but instead, it's taken just 16 balls for Australia to make their mark!"
The (unexpected) counter
A major focus during the build-up had been on England's 5-0 whitewashing in 2013-14 and the supposed "scars" that Australia would look to open up. An early score of 2 for 1 (or 1 for 2) hinted at trouble to come, but the promised onslaught from Australia's fire-breathing quicks failed to materialise. Mark Stoneman and James Vince went into the Test billed as Poms to the slaughter, yet the pair of Ashes debutants made themselves at home at the "Gabbatoir" while adding a 125-run stand for the second wicket. That was better than England's highest partnership during the entire 2013-14 series.
The watery intervention
Pat Cummins fired a warning shot for the series when he dragged Root across his crease before swinging the ball back to trap him plumb in front (via the help of a review). He called it "the dream wicket" and, coming less than 10 overs from the close, it prevented England from taking the day. But Australia might have enjoyed more success with the old, reversing ball if Vince had not hit it into a puddle beyond the boundary rope shortly after tea. The umpires initially refused to change the ball but eventually did so after its condition deteriorated further - enabling Cummins to strike.
The stat
Vince, whose technique was considered by some to be too fragile to succeed at No. 3, enjoyed a control percentage of 92% against pace bowling during his Test-best 83.
Quote of the day
"If he didn't know who we were before the game, he probably does now. Reading comments like that gives you the motivation to go out there and make a statement."
James Vince steps out of the Ashes ID parade to knock down some of Matt Hayden's pre-match criticism
What's next?
Australia had just armed themselves with the new ball when the umpires decided to call a halt due to bad light, having lost their first review (which will no longer be topped up) over a failed lbw appeal against Dawid Malan. That fresh Kookaburra will still be only three deliveries old when Starc resumes in the morning - play will begin half an hour early to make up lost time - with Australia looking to rattle England's lower order out quickly. That was one of the major advantages they enjoyed over the tourists in 2013-14; Malan, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow will be the batsmen charged with preventing a repeat.