One of the most frantic days in recent Ashes memory simply confirmed what we already knew about Australia.
A dynamic bowling attack capable of spearheading a series triumph over England, if only the batting line-up could stand up under pressure.
Fourteen wickets fell on day one at Trent Bridge, the same amount as at Headingley in 2009 and three less than at Lord’s in 2005.
On both those occasions Australia went on to win, and although they’re well in this first Test, Steve Smith (38) and Phil Hughes (7) are still an awful long way from setting a solid platform for victory.
Australia were 4-75 at stumps, trailing by 140, after England were bowled out for 215 midway through the third session.
Fast bowling leader Peter Siddle stood up to be counted with a superb five-wicket haul under pressure after England won the toss and batted on a flat pitch.
But with an hour and a half left to play, Australia began their innings and were decimated by James Anderson and Steven Finn, with Shane Watson (13), Ed Cowan (0) and Michael Clarke (0) all out for three runs in the space of 18 balls.
New coach Darren Lehmann says he expects more from his new-look top three but has no immediate concerns about star batsman Clarke being exposed in the higher position of No.4.
Lehmann, who won’t back down from sending David Warner to Africa to gain match practice with Australia A, wants to back Watson, Rogers and Cowan for now.
“You’d like to give confidence to all the players and keep them in every Test match,” he said.
“We were (5-43). I would have liked to have been a little bit more than that.
“That’s the job of the top three isn’t it … they’ve got to get through. Michael wants to bat 4 and I support that. I like the captain batting at 4. Openers have to bat longer than they did today.
“Both batting sides would be a bit disappointed on that wicket.”
Siddle was the clear stand-out on day one, snaring the eighth five-wicket haul of his career, although he was ably supported by James Pattinson (3-69) and Mitchell Starc (2-54).
From Siddle’s first wicket to his fifth – where he knocked over key men Joe Root, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Mattt Prior – he went for just 22 runs from 51 balls.
It was another spectacular start to an Ashes series for the 28-year-old, who claimed a hat-trick on his birthday at the Gabba back in 2010.
Siddle’s lead-in form for Australia A and the Australians against Somerset was average to say the least, and Lehmann admits the Victorian was in genuine danger of losing his spot.
“We’ve got some high class quicks in our squad,” said Lehmann.
“I think we needed that experienced head in the end.
“The first day of an Ashes series is pretty big… so for the younger guys they probably got over excited with the newer ball.
“But Peter stood up when it counted.”
The spectacular shocks started before a ball was even bowled with teenage spinner Ashton Agar transformed from development bowler to Nathan Lyon’s replacement in one of the more incredible Ashes debuts.
David Warner was also dropped in favour of Smith.
Watson (lower leg) pulled up sore after his fourth over, while Stuart Broad (shoulder) failed to return to the field after an existing injury he was carrying was compounded by copping a fierce Pattinson bouncer to his shoulder while batting.
