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Ashes 2017: England 196/4 as James Vince run out for 83 on tense, hard-fought first day

Tough Test: Nathan Lyon bowls to James Vince, the stand-out performers on day one - AFP
Tough Test: Nathan Lyon bowls to James Vince, the stand-out performers on day one - AFP

James Vince blunted the much-hyped Australia attack but fell foul of England's new number one enemy Nathan Lyon just when he was all set to tame the Gabba on day one of the Ashes.

Vince (83) responded to the departure of lynchpin opener Alastair Cook in just the third over of the series by sharing a century stand with Mark Stoneman which belied inevitable nerves on this huge stage.

After he was dropped by wicketkeeper Tim Paine on 68 pushing forward to Lyon, England's latest number three appeared on course for a maiden Test century only for the off-spinner to snatch it away with a brilliant direct-hit to run him out attempting a faulty single to cover.

It was a moment which reinvigorated Australia and their hostile home support as captain Joe Root then also fell, lbw to Pat Cummins' old-ball swing and pace, in a stumps total of 196 for four.

With Lyon at the centre of Vince's exit, it had an added significance after the spinner spoke out so forcefully earlier this week - apparently out of character - about Australia's uncompromising intent this winter.

Ashes 2017-18 first Test | Day one round-up from Brisbane
Ashes 2017-18 first Test | Day one round-up from Brisbane

Vince had stroked a succession of stylish off-side boundaries among his 12 fours from 170 balls, as he vindicated pre-tour predictions from the England camp that he has the ideal game to prosper in Australian conditions.

He previously flattered to deceive in seven Tests, the last more than a year ago, averaging under 20 with a joint top-score of 42.

Ultimately, there was an undeniable element of job half-done here too, just when the notoriously partisan Brisbane crowd was becoming becalmed.

An untypically sluggish Gabba pitch was arguably in Vince's favour, and the lack of sideways movement off the surface - a menace to his aspirations at home - was very handy too.

Nonetheless it was an admirable effort after Vince and Stoneman (53) joined forces at two for one when Mitchell Starc had made short work of England's all-time record runscorer Cook - caught at first slip pushing forward to some well-directed new-ball swing from the left-armer.

There were precious few further edges or plays-and-misses as Vince unfurled some of his favourite cover-drives and back-foot forces, and Stoneman played the percentages to continue his sequence of passing 50 in every innings on tour so far - following his three half-centuries and a century in England's warm-up fixtures.

The opener departed just before tea, during a rain-shortened second session, hanging back slightly in defence and done for pace by Cummins from round the wicket.

Root review LBW - Credit: BT Sport
Overbalanced and out: Joe Root Credit: BT Sport

Lyon was then the most constant threat into the final hour, finding both turn and bounce and giving the batsmen precious little leeway, but it was Cummins who ousted the England captain before Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali's spirited partnership closed out the evening.

Much of the pre-match chat from Australia had centred on how fearsome a prospect their three-man pace attack was going to be.

England were not put off, though - and despite the shock of losing Cook so early after Root had won the toss, and then Vince's partially self-inflicted disappointment, they established a foothold in the series at least.

England 100/1 to win the Ashes with SportNation >>

 

8:19AM

Close of play: England 196/4 (Malan 28* Ali 13*)

A super day's Test cricket, we'll have a bit of reaction and a match report right away.

If you're just joining us: England won the toss and batted. We lost 90 minutes to rain after lunch but they extended the day (and we will start early tomorrow as well). Despite all the pre-match chat about how England's newbies would be blown away by the fearsome pace trio, it was Nathan Lyon who was the pick. Cook and Root made 17 between them as James Vince and Mark Stoneman stood tall and played like veterans.

England probably scored a bit too slowly to claim this as an unqualified success, but Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali were beginning to express themselves and England will be confident that they can move the game on tomorrow. The Aussies, for their part, will feel that they have every chance of knocking England over for 300.

Thanks for following with us. We'll see you at about 11pm (UK) on Thursday night.

8:17AM

OVER 80.3: ENG 196/4 (Malan 28* Ali 13*)

Without much warning, the umpires have decided it has got too gloomy out there. "Not sure how it is suddenly too dark out there but it was okay 30 seconds ago," says Ricky Ponting, giving us all a chance to think about The Sorites Paradox.

8:16AM

The umpires take the players off for light

Oh. Well, that took us all by surprise.

8:14AM

Review! But Malan is safe

Starc ponders Malan review - Credit: BT Sport
Starc ponders Malan review Credit: BT Sport

Very full ball, third one of the over. Hits Malan low. The Aussies like it. Starc looks hopeful rather than certain. Aussies review

Malan is not out - Credit: BT Sport
Malan is not out Credit: BT Sport

He is not out, that is sliding down leg. 

8:13AM

OVER 80: ENG 196/4 (Malan 28* Ali 13*)    

Lyon. This is a ripper. It pitches and snakes lethally past Moeen's outside edge. He's looked pure class today. Maiden.

The new ball is due. Will they take it? They will. Starc has it in his hand.

8:11AM

OVER 79: ENG 196/4 (Malan 28* Ali 13*)   

Nice full one from Josh tails in and nearly ends Malan's evening. But he hits back at Hazlewood when Josh drops short.

8:09AM

OVER 78: ENG 192/4 (Malan 24* Ali 13*)  

Lyon keeps turning the screw.

Nathan Lyon to left-handers - Credit: BT Sport
Nathan Lyon to left-handers Credit: BT Sport

"I wonder if England will talk tonight about how they have played Lyon. Yes he has bowled well but can they be more aggressive?" says Michael Vaughan. Certainly it's a puzzle they need to solve. If Lyon is continued to be allowed to go for less than two an over, it means Smith can rotate and rest those three seamers. If England could hammer Lyon, then he has to overwork those injury-prone bowlers. Lyon, it seems, emerges as the unlikely key...

8:05AM

OVER 77: ENG 192/4 (Malan 24* Ali 13*) 

Hazlewood  returns. It's a largely sedate affair apart from one sizable LBW shout against Malan. That was pretty clearly pitching outside leg to my eye. And thus it proves. The Aussies do not review.

8:02AM

OVER 76: ENG 191/4 (Malan 24* Ali 12*)

But the admirable Lyon kyboshes any hopes of putting the foot down. One run off this over. He has been simply excellent.

8:01AM

OVER 75: ENG 190/4 (Malan 24* Ali 11*)                     

Cummins, known to all the lads in the Aussie rooms as ee, is into his fourth spell.

Driven through the offside by Malan. The shot of the day, that was a really lovely square drive. Young Cummo overcompensates next ball, and they are soon fetching it from the mid on rope! Is this the acceleration that was lacking earlier in the day?

Cummo looks like he has run his race, to me.

7:51AM

OVER 74: ENG 182/4 (Malan 16* Ali 11*)                    

Moeen Ali, I love you. He's just hit Nathan Lyon for a hilarious six, it flies over cow corner never more than a feet off the ground. Lovely timing on the slog sweep.

7:47AM

OVER 73: ENG 174/4 (Malan 16* Ali 3*)                   

Cummins. Moeen off the mark with an attractive three. Malan with a lovely drive on the up through the covers. Four. Bit of a mixed bag this over: too short, a full toss.

7:44AM

OVER 72: ENG 167/4 (Malan 12* Ali 0*)                  

Very fine glance from Malan, as in it was narrow down the legside as opposed to it being a particularly exceptional shot. Lyon-o not so threatening this last two overs; it feels like the mojo might be back with the seamers?

7:40AM

OVER 71: ENG 163/4 (Malan 8* Ali 0*)                 

Well, England were feeling I think that they'd had the better of the day but this has absolutely opened the door. Moeen knows what is coming, various bits of protective gear are brought out, and here comes the bumper! Bouncer first ball, Moeen ducks and gets a glancing blow on the back.

7:37AM

WICKET! Root lbw Cummins 15

Oh that is huge. HUGE! Cummins angles the ball into Root, whose balance is all wrong. He's falling over the ball, his foot has come way too far across and he is hit low and in front. Erasmus has not given it,  but the Aussies really like it, and I can see why. They review. And this is out. FOW 163/4

Root review LBW - Credit: BT Sport
Overbalanced and out: Joe Root Credit: BT Sport

Shocker from Marais Erasmus TBF. Still, that's what the system is there for 

7:35AM

OVER 70: ENG 163/3 (Root 15* Malan 8*)                

Huge turn for Lyon! Crikey. And now a rare bad ball from Lyon, short and wide and that's a gift. Malan cracks the ball through point.

7:30AM

OVER 69: ENG 159/3 (Root 15* Malan 4*)               

Cummo. Three slips, gully, and some significant movement back into Root. Now he gets one to straighten off the seam. All this in the high eighties. But this over somehow feels like it looks dangerous rather than actually being dangerous, IYKWIM?

7:26AM

OVER 68: ENG 159/3 (Root 15* Malan 4*)              

England have slowed. It's tough stuff out there at the moment. 17/1 in the last ten overs. Lyon superb in this over, he's really giving Malan a time of it. Got the ball on a string.

7:24AM

OVER 67: ENG 159/3 (Root 15* Malan 4*)             

Pat Cummins returns. Malan tries to pull, misses, is hit in the midriff. Shouts of LBW, and yelps for a possible grab at short leg that falls short.

7:20AM

OVER 66: ENG 158/3 (Root 15* Malan 3*)            

All about the Lyon-o. He's getting the ball to rip and, perhaps, unsettling Root? Who tries a reverse sweep and gets nowhere with it. Now Root flicks the ball off the back foot and hits short leg on the shin! 

He likes a bowl here, does Lyon. 26 wickets here at 28. he has been the Australian's best bowler, and that would not have been their preferred outcome at the start of the day...

7:17AM

The Absolute Boy

has broken his James Vince silence.

7:16AM

Drinks: England 158/3 (Root 15* Malan 3*)

The close of play is extended until 8.30am. Shadows lengthen across the ground, the lights are on. Still every chance that the Aussies can get their noses in front.

7:13AM

OVER 65: ENG 158/3 (Root 15* Malan 3*)           

You wait all day for one extra... and here's another one. A no ball from Starc. Just a couple of runs off the over and I wouldn't say that there was all that much threat either. Let's have a drink.

James Vince - Credit: getty images
James Vince scored his first Test 50 to help England rebuild after the early loss of Alastair Cook Credit: getty images

7:11AM

If you are just joining us

7:09AM

OVER 64: ENG 156/3 (Root 14* Malan 3*)          

Nathan Lyon returns, the pick of the bowlers and the run out hero. He gets the ball to hit something and loop up for a catch close in. Momentary alarm but no Root bat involved. Now he beats Malan with a turner, Paine has the bails off but the Middlesex batsman has his foot well safe.

Generous leg bye in that over represents the first extra of the innings, I think.

7:04AM

OVER 63: ENG 153/3 (Root 14* Malan 1*)         

Root has his first boundary. Starc dribbles down the leg. Root helps himself. If the Aussies were hoping to make this a cauldron with the skipper and the newbie at the crease, the fast bowling has not really made that so. Starc a bit wayward. Hazlewood solid but unspectacular.

7:01AM

OVER 62: ENG 148/3 (Root 9* Malan 1*)        

Hazlewood with some rhythm guitar. A maiden.

6:53AM

OVER 61: ENG 148/3 (Root 9* Malan 1*)       

Malan. Under pressure. Starc full. Malan off the mark second ball. Starc rather ordinary in that over, I would say. 

Alyssa Healy, wife of Mitchell Starc, is in the commentary box with Ali Mitchell and Ricky Ponting. I am both pleased and unsurprised to note that the excellent Ali Mitchell makes but the briefest mention of the fact that Healy and Starc are married. I reckon even 10 years ago a telly broadcaster would have focused much more on the human interest angle rather than the fact that Healy is an international sportsperson being asked to comment on sport. Anyway, this is a lot to get through in a live blog but I am impressed with BT Sport.

They show Healy a clip of the superb delivery bowled by Starc for the wicket. "A pretty regulation delivery from Mitchell," Healy notes drily.

6:49AM

OVER 60: ENG 147/3 (Root 9* Malan 0*)      

Root sees out the rest of the over. Dawid Malan the new man in. And the reason, my friends, why this is the greatest game that humans have yet devised (other than a DOND fruity obvs) is that the tenor and timbre of everything may now change on that tiny moment of misjudgment from Vince.

6:45AM

WICKET! Vince run out 83

Oh James Vince, what have you done?! Oh that is an absolute choker for the lad. He pushes Hazlewood into the covers, Nathan Lyon skips to his right and the ball bounces right up into his right hand. Still moving at pace, he hurls in one gorgeous motion and smashes the stumps at the bowler's end. Vince is gone by a mile and he has absolutely ruined himself there. Oh, James. Brilliant, brilliant from Nathan Lyon, the sort of fielding skill that can change a match. FOW 145/3

James Vince run out - Credit: BT Sport
James Vince run out Credit: BT Sport

6:42AM

OVER 59: ENG 145/2 (Vince 83* Root 7*)     

Vince with an expressive drive through the offside. That shot has been his pleasure and his pain in his brief Test career so far. Working thus far today. Starc beats Root with a nice one outside off.

6:40AM

Own man

Pitch not offering much for these quick men. Nick Hoult spoke to the Brisbane groundsman in the week.

Mitchell is known as his own man, a little like Mick Hunt at Lord’s in the sense he produces the pitches he wants rather than to orders.

“We are pretty lucky we do not have those pressures. We can make our own decisions on what kind of wicket we prepare for each game,” he said diplomatically.

Meet the groundsman whose Gabba pitches have never seen an Australia defeat

6:36AM

OVER 58: ENG 142/2 (Vince 80* Root 7*)    

Australia need to get their act together here. There have been some wet efforts since tea, Josh H now drifting a bit either side of the wicket and allowing Root to get settled in. A pair of legside balls, a pair of clips off the pads. Gentle fare. They don't want to let this fellow get his feet under the table.

6:33AM

OVER 57: ENG 138/2 (Vince 80* Root 3*)   

Starc back on. Wide one to start with , slashed wide of third man. Four. And another four a couple of balls later when Starc drifts on to the pads. And that shot may well be significant, not just because of the four runs, but because the ball has landed in a puddle just beyond the boundary. A photographer fishes it out. Starc has a face like a wet weekend in Whitby when they give it him. He looks gutted. 

Starc gets the wet ball back - Credit: BT Sport
Credit: BT Sport

What he's worried about is that this will hamper the reverse swing that the Aussies, or rather Cummo, had got going.

6:27AM

OVER 56: ENG 130/2 (Vince 72* Root 3*)  

Josh giving the ball every chance to swing, plenty full. Straight, too, trying to bring the reverse swing. Root faces every ball of the over, punching and running for a two.

6:21AM

The players are back out

Josh Hazlewood has the ball. He was a leetle disappoint in the first two sessions. Perhaps that reverse-swinging jaffa from Cummo will inspire the rest of the bowlers, too. 

Here is said jaffa.

6:03AM

TEA: England 128/2 (Vince 72 * Root 1*) off 55 overs

So nearly a perfect session for England. A long rain delay after lunch, and the session was extended. England thoroughly enjoyed almost all of it, as two of their newbies put together a 125-run stand that showed both can compete at this level, and made a lot of the pre-match BS about England cowering before the Aussie pacers look a bit silly. Under-pressure keeper Paine dropped a sitter off Lyon, who was the pick of the bowling. But just as England were starting to feel confident, Pat Cummins began to make the ball reverse swing, and Stoneman's watch was ended.

6:03AM

OVER 55: ENG 128/2 (Vince 72* Root 1*) 

Cummins goes over the wicket. The atmosphere is pumping. Cummins is up for it. First one, full and straight. Root using all his heart and skill to zero in. Battling hard. Survives some good bowling. It is reversing. Root donks the last ball of the over for a scampered single, and that is tea.

6:01AM

That brings Joe Root in

with a nasty little session to survive until the tea interval at 6am. He really has to switch on here.

6:00AM

WICKET! Stoneman b Cummins 53

Oh that is a bit of bowling. What a delivery. It's round the wicket, it is quick, it has hooped back in, reverse swing. Castled. Stoneman is gone, top of middle stump. FOW  127/2

5:57AM

OVER 54: ENG 127/1 (Vince 72* Stoneman 53*)

One off the reliable Lyon.

5:52AM

OVER 53: ENG 126/1 (Vince 72* Stoneman 52*)          

Vince has pinged this down the ground, what a lovely stroke this is. Nailed straight and true. Super. How d'you like dem apples, Cummo? That ball was too straight, the rest were too easy to leave. Australia, at time of writing, are the team with the concerns. I think we have all seen one too many mornings to get cocky just yet, but this is encouraging.

5:49AM

OVER 52: ENG 121/1 (Vince 68* Stoneman 51*)         

Bad luck you Aussies! Lyon is bowling really well and he has been badly let down by the wicketkeeper. 

Edged by Vince dropped by Paine - Credit: BT Sport
Credit: BT Sport

Pushes the ball across Vince, a clear edge, and it's clanged poor Paine on the ball of  the the thumb. That's a bit of a shocker. Drop.

Camera picks out Australian "high performance coach" Brad Haddin on the dressing room balcony. "He's working with the keepers," says Damien Fleming, helpfully.

5:46AM

OVER 51: ENG 121/1 (Vince 68* Stoneman 51*)        

Cummins. Stoneman has his fifty! Not a classic shot, a thick edge through the slips for two, but you sense that this practical sort of cat won't care a bit. A brief acknowledgement of the crowd and then he's back to business.

Swann, on commentary, celebrates with a "Why-aye man he's a Geordie" accent bit.

5:42AM

OVER 50: ENG 116/1 (Vince 66* Stoneman 48*)       

Lyon. Ripper! Stoneman well beaten., and no shame in that. It drifted in, it pitched and ripped past the outside edge. Graeme Swann, by happy accident, has just come on comms and he notes "if Lyon had the other one, if he could roll his fingers under and get it to go on, he would be twice the bowler". As it is, Nathan doesn't have the doosra.

5:40AM

OVER 49: ENG 116/1 (Vince 66* Stoneman 48*)      

This is a good set from Cummins. And this is James Vince's worst moment of the day as he drives loosely and recklessly at a ball that wasn't there for it. That's the shot that effectively saw him lose his place. He will want to put that back in the locker but, on the other hand, he's a live-by-the-sword sort of a batsman, I suppose. Should he stop being loose outside off? Or do you just have to back yourself?

5:36AM

OVER 48: ENG 116/1 (Vince 66* Stoneman 48*)     

Nicely done from Nathan Lyon, this over. Thick, controlled edge for two by Stoneman.

Tea, by the way, is at 6am.

5:35AM

'Young Tom Curran enjoying his mango there'

says Ali Mitchell.

Mango Curran - Credit: BT Sport
Credit: BT Sport

5:32AM

OVER 47: ENG 114/1 (Vince 66* Stoneman 46*)    

Pat Cummins comes on. First couple are either side of the wicket, this is not threatening stuff as yet. Stoneman singles. Vince drives through cover for two, bit uppish. Last ball of the over is the best, angling back in, and there's a hint of an LBW shout. Going down, maybe a bit high, no serious inquiry.

5:29AM

OVER 46: ENG 111/1 (Vince 64* Stoneman 45*)   

Another bowling change. Lyon. Every time Nathan comes on for a bowl is a little victory for England, I think. Not that he is not a very good operator, because he is, but because it makes all that pre-match bristle and BS about how the Aussie pace trio were going to end careers and ruin lives look just that little bit sillier.

Nathan gets Vince to inside edge one, and it flies not far from Handscomb under the lid. I wouldn't call that a chance, really. Nathan cannot follow up at all and the next ball is a stinker, short and wide and cracked through the covers for four off the back dog.

5:25AM

OVER 45: ENG 107/1 (Vince 60* Stoneman 45*)  

Very full from Starc, and quick, and I do declare a hint of reverse swing maybe possibly off the last pill? There is one for each batter.

5:24AM

OVER 44: ENG 105/1 (Vince 59* Stoneman 44*) 

Josh now. A solid 82, 83mph citizen. England run well, and run hard, when Vince flicks off the pads. Another one worked to midwicket. Vince shows now that his cover driving is not entirely pathological, leaving a couple.

5:15AM

OVER 43: ENG 103/1 (Vince 57* Stoneman 44*)

Stoneman pinches Starc through cover, they run two and that brings up the century stand. Warm applause for the pair, and rightly so. That is no mean feat in the first session of an Ashes match, both players unproven at this level but answering all the questions put in front of them so far. Well done.

Starc full, swinging it in this over, looking dangerous. Into his third spell now. The pitch looks like it is freshening up a bit?

5:11AM

Good morning!

Tyers here. Ben Bloom takes his cap and walks down to digital fine leg with the applause of the crowd ringing in his ears, and thoughts of where a young man might find a bite to eat at 5.10am running through his brain.

The players are having a quick drink. I will take you through until the close at 8.30am UK time.

5:06AM

OVER 42: ENG 101/1 (Vince 57* Stoneman 42*)

Stoneman has been very watchful today, but he tucks into a bit of length from Hazlewood here to whip a lovely boundary just wide of mid-on as Warner gives chase in vain. Hazlewood responds by fizzing one past the outside edge, but there's no great movement for the seamers to work with.

That will be all from me and I shall now hand over to Alan Tyers to see you through to the close. Cheerio.

5:02AM

OVER 41: ENG 95/1 (Vince 57* Stoneman 37*)

A bit of frustration from Starc perhaps as he hurls a few verbals at Vince after the Hampshire man sways out of the way of a short delivery. Just one run from the over, but Australia are noticeably on the defensive now with a deep point in place.

4:56AM

OVER 40: ENG 95/1 (Vince 57* Stoneman 36*)

Confidence is oozing from these two England batsmen now and it's Stoneman's turn to strut his stuff with a lovely straight drive back past Hazlewood for two.

4:53AM

OVER 39: ENG 92/1 (Vince 57* Stoneman 33*)

Starc comes back into the attack and Stoneman immediately rides a short ball to pick up three with a push through the covers. That brings Vince back on strike and... you know what, I may as well just hit copy and paste. I've lost count of the number of perfect cover drives that Vince has played for four today and he does so again here. Hit the boundary in a flash.

4:48AM

OVER 38: ENG 85/1 (Vince 53* Stoneman 30*)

A change in the attack sees Hazlewood replace Lyon and Vince greets his arrival with a square drive for four to bring up the first half-century of his Test career. He's been so strong on the off-side and this has been a marvellous innings.

Just to clarify the timings for the rest of the day: tea will be taken at 6am with the final session able to continue until 8.30am.

4:42AM

OVER 37: ENG 81/1 (Vince 48* Stoneman 30*)

Have a bit of that. Short from Cummins and Vince rises high off his tiptoes before cutting fine of point for a thumping four. Hugely impressive.

4:38AM

OVER 36: ENG 76/1 (Vince 44* Stoneman 30*)

Just a Vince single before Stoneman plays out (or leaves) the rest of Lyon's over.

4:37AM

OVER 35: ENG 75/1 (Vince 43* Stoneman 30*)

Good running from Stoneman, who nudges the ball into the leg side and scampers a quick single. England could do with a little more of that with a run rate only marginally above two per over so far today. Vince then plays one of the shots of the day with a smart back-foot drive wide of mid-off for three. That takes him to the highest score of his Test career. Can he finally convert it into a first 50 or more?

4:32AM

OVER 34: ENG 71/1 (Vince 40* Stoneman 29*)

How can Vince break this sequence of dot balls from Lyon? He's not really moving his feet or looking to throw Lyon off his rhythm at all. Haha, no sooner have I typed those words than Vince dances down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and drives beautifully through extra cover for four. That was better and instantly releases the pressure.

Here was Lyon's pitch map before that boundary:

lyon
lyon

4:28AM

OVER 33: ENG 67/1 (Vince 36* Stoneman 29*)

Cummins has a simple aim here, which is not to deviate from his line outside off stump to the left-handed Stoneman, who has left the ball very well today. Maiden.

4:24AM

OVER 32: ENG 67/1 (Vince 36* Stoneman 29*)

This is an intriguing battle between Lyon and Vince. Lyon is sticking with such tight lines that there is precious little for the England batsmen to work with. I wonder if Vince will grow impatient at some point. Not for now. Another maiden means he has conceded just nine runs from eight overs.

4:22AM

OVER 31: ENG 67/1 (Vince 36* Stoneman 29*)

Cummins will try his luck from the other end, but drifts slightly full with his first delivery and Vince leans into the umpteenth cover drive of his innings to pick up three. Opting to go round the wicket to the left-handed Stoneman, Cummins then pays the price for deviating from his outside-off-stump line as the England opener punches a straight-ish one back past the bowler for four. Classy from Stoneman.

4:18AM

OVER 30: ENG 60/1 (Vince 33* Stoneman 25*)

Lyon is the man to belatedly get this second session under way with Vince at the business end. The turn is still apparent from the outset for Lyon and he concedes just one run as Vince rocks back and cuts the final delivery to a diving third man.

4:09AM

Session amendments

Confirmation has come through that tea has been changed to 6am (all times given here are GMT). The players are on the edge of the outfield with ball-drying rags tucked into their trousers so, thankfully, it's almost time to resume.

3:56AM

Restart

Play will resume at 4.15am.

3:53AM

Good news!

The covers are coming off and, after a spot of mopping up, we should have some cricket in about 20 minutes I reckon.

There is an extra half and hour available to be taken at the end of today's play and they can start half an hour earlier tomorrow morning to make up for lost time.

rain - Credit: getty images
Credit: getty images

3:50AM

Better signs

Somehow it is still raining in Brisbane despite almost all of the clouds disappearing from above the Gabba. The covers are still on for now, but some of the players are out on the pitch doing some light warm-up exercises.

3:36AM

Mixed messages

Graeme Swann has just been out on the pitch and says he can't see play resuming any time soon.

Geoffrey Boycott says "in my day they'd be playing in this".

3:32AM

Still raining

No good news to report, I'm afraid.

rain - Credit: pa
Credit: pa

3:11AM

Bed in

The covers are now spread across the entire square and the rain - which isn't that heavy - is steady. I'm not sure cricket is going to happen any time soon.

3:00AM

Do you want the bad news?

The rain has got heavier and the covers larger. This is going to be longer than first thought.

2:51AM

Highlights

Oh dear, we're little over a session into this Ashes series and already BT Sport have been forced to delve into the archives for some highlights footage to fill the time during a rain break. They've plumped for Channel 9 coverage of day one of the 2010/11 Ashes series in Brisbane.

Xavier Doherty... remember his Test career?

2:45AM

Oh wait

Now the tarpaulin is being put back onto the wicket. The showers are pretty light and moving through very quickly so it's slightly frustrating that this is happening. But it shouldn't be too serious a problem. Not a great deal of umbrellas on display.

2:43AM

Delay

But not a huge one. The covers (which were only light tarpaulin) are currently being taken off the pitch and we should have play again fairly shortly.

2:35AM

Rain?

It's just started drizzling at the Gabba. Shouldn't be too much to delay the start after lunch, but there's some wet in the air.

2:08AM

Lunch

Neither side will be too unhappy with their morning's exertions, but I fancy England will certainly be the happier of the two with Stoneman and Vince showing plenty of grit after that early loss of Cook. The Aussies have tried their damnedest on a pitch that isn't offering them a great deal of help and will know that this England innings is still very much in its infancy if they can get an early breakthrough after lunch. I'll be back in a bit.

2:04AM

OVER 29: ENG 59/1 (Vince 32* Stoneman 25*)

One final over of Starc round the wicket to Stoneman with a short-leg and leg slip in place. The pitch is giving Starc no help though, with the ball just ballooning over the batsman's head and looping through to the keeper at waist height. Stoneman mixes defence with ducking and we have a maiden. That's lunch folks.

2:00AM

OVER 28: ENG 59/1 (Vince 32* Stoneman 25*)

Time for two more overs before lunch I suspect, especially if Lyon rattles through this one as he has been doing. Can Vince remain controlled? Lyon bowls the first two balls over the wicket before switching to go round and immediately finding Vince's outside edge. Perhaps Vince deserves some credit for playing that ball with soft hands and it runs away for four through the vacant third man area.

1:57AM

OVER 27: ENG 55/1 (Vince 28* Stoneman 25*)

Starc goes round the wicket to Stoneman now and fires in a bouncer that is smartly ducked. Perhaps this is an attempt to rough up the England opener in a bid to make something happen before the imminent lunch break. No response from Stoneman though, who rides the rest of the short stuff with relative ease.

1:52AM

OVER 26: ENG 55/1 (Vince 28* Stoneman 25*)

Good flight from Lyon, who is floating the ball nice and full in an attempt to lure Vince into something foolish. The Hampshire man reaps no benefit from taking a step down the track as he is forced to defend and the result is a maiden.

1:50AM

OVER 25: ENG 55/1 (Vince 28* Stoneman 25*)

A single for Stoneman, a single for Vince and a total lack of threat from Starc, whose accuracy has waned somewhat, bowling both sides of the wicket.

starc - Credit: getty images
Credit: getty images

1:45AM

OVER 24: ENG 53/1 (Vince 27* Stoneman 24*)

Lyon looks much more threatening than the seamers at the moment, forcing the batsmen to play with the ball turning a significant amount. How the Aussies would love a second wicket before the lunch break in 15 minutes' time.

1:43AM

OVER 23: ENG 52/1 (Vince 27* Stoneman 23*)

Too straight and too full from Starc and Stoneman leans into a push for three through mid-wicket to bring up the 50-partnership between these two batsmen. Just one delivery (the one from Starc in his opening spell) has exceeded 90mph so far today. Scrap that. For the second time after mentioning the lack of speed on display I am made to look foolish by Starc digging in a short-ish ball that pushes 90.5mph and hits Stoneman in a rather painful area just below the midriff.

1:38AM

OVER 22: ENG 49/1 (Vince 27* Stoneman 20*)

Lyon continues to Vince and there's a half appeal as the batsman is squared up and the ball loops up to short-leg. Unfortunately for Australia, Vince's bat was nowhere near it and the ball had thudded straight into his thigh pad. Lyon is building some decent pressure though and rattles through another maiden.

1:35AM

OVER 21: ENG 49/1 (Vince 27* Stoneman 20*)

Smith throws the ball back to Starc, who will try his luck again having taken some time to recharge his batteries following his opening spell. The lack of pace is evident with a short ball totally dying on its way through to the keeper, who takes it at shin height. There isn't a great deal for the Aussie seamers to work with at the moment. Maiden to Stoneman.

1:31AM

OVER 20: ENG 49/1 (Vince 27* Stoneman 20*)

Let's see how Lyon fares against the right-handed Vince. The spin is evident even at this early stage of the match as Lyon brings Vince forward into defence. Just dropping marginally shorter, Vince then rocks back and turns a single to fine leg.

1:27AM

OVER 19: ENG 47/1 (Vince 26* Stoneman 19*)

Two more runs for Stoneman with a nudge off his hip through square leg off Hazlewood.

1:24AM

OVER 18: ENG 45/1 (Vince 26* Stoneman 17*)

We've had 80 minutes of cricket and it's time for some spin. Let's see what Lyon can generate from this pitch. There is turn straight away as Stoneman is squared up from the outset. The left-handed England opener plays out the rest of the over without much trouble, but there is clearly some purchase for Lyon to work with out there.

1:19AM

OVER 17: ENG 44/1 (Vince 26* Stoneman 16*)

These two have really taken the sting out of this opening session. Another maiden passes with no concern whatsoever - Vince in full control.

1:16AM

OVER 16: ENG 44/1 (Vince 26* Stoneman 16*)

Short from Cummins, but Vince goes on the attack and pulls hard off his nose for one. He soon finds himself back on strike and plays a cracking cover drive on the up for three more. The man's got some style - there's no denying that. That brings Stoneman back to the business end... and there's a big appeal for caught behind, which umpire Aleem Dar ignores. Quite rightly. It flicked straight off his thigh pad, missing the bat by some margin and Smith correctly decides against reviewing.

1:11AM

OVER 15: ENG 39/1 (Vince 22* Stoneman 15*)

England will be quite happy with their work so far today and Stoneman continues to look unflustered after the drinks break as Hazlewood charges in. The swing has gone, the bounce is untroubling and the home crowd are quiet. Maiden.

1:05AM

OVER 14: ENG 39/1 (Vince 22* Stoneman 15*)

The ground is currently bathed in sunshine, but there are some seriously ominous clouds hanging about in the near distance. Those early signs of swing seem to have disappeared and life is much easier for the England batsmen at the moment. Having said that, Cummins then passes Vince's outside edge by a whisker. No harm done.

12:59AM

OVER 13: ENG 37/1 (Vince 21* Stoneman 14*)

Full again from Hazlewood, cover drive again from Vince and three more runs. As he so often does, Vince is looking mighty fine so far today. But can he avoid the early slip-up that has plagued his Test career to date?

The Pool Deck - for more details read this - is currently being frequented by men with buckets on their head.

pool deck - Credit: pa
Credit: pa

12:55AM

OVER 12: ENG 34/1 (Vince 18* Stoneman 14*)

Cummins continues round the wicket to Stoneman and finds the outside edge. But it was played with soft hands by the England opener and it falls well short of third slip. Maiden.

12:52AM

OVER 11: ENG 34/1 (Vince 18* Stoneman 14*)

A change of ends for Hazlewood, who comes on in place of Starc only to be immediately greeted by a smart cover drive for three from Stoneman. Vince then gets in on the act with even greater success, displaying a glorious cover drive of his own which fizzes to the boundary, before adding four more with a flick off his pads through mid-wicket. The mood has changed significantly since that early wicket and these two England batsmen have settled well.

12:46AM

OVER 10: ENG 23/1 (Vince 10* Stoneman 11*)

This has been an assured start from Vince who stands tall to a short Cummins delivery and punches three with ease through cover. There will be plenty of pressure on Vince's shoulder's to prove himself at this level throughout the series but - on the face of it at least - he doesn't appear too flustered. Cummins then wangs in a quick bumper, which Stoneman ducks under before following up by clipping three off his pads.

12:41AM

OVER 9: ENG 17/1 (Vince 7* Stoneman 8*)

The expectation is that the pitch will quicken up as the match goes on and it certainly doesn't look too rapid so far on this opening morning. Although right on cue Starc then pushes a full delivery outside off stump at 91mph. Maiden.

12:37AM

OVER 8: ENG 17/1 (Vince 7* Stoneman 8*)

Ah, this should be interesting as the ball is thrown to Cummins who will bowl for the first time in a Test match on Australian soil. The 24-year-old has the ability to push 90mph and certainly hits the deck hard. The first thing I notice about him (aside from the obligatory Aussie fast bowler moustache) is his impressive arm speed. Vince is resolute in defence though and the result is a maiden.

12:32AM

OVER 7: ENG 17/1 (Vince 7* Stoneman 8*)

Starc continues with the full stuff to Vince, who adds one run with a flick off his pads to fine leg.

12:28AM

OVER 6: ENG 16/1 (Vince 6* Stoneman 8*)

A change of angle with Hazlewood round the wicket to the left-handed Stoneman for the first time today. The England opener picks up two with a slightly mistimed cover drive and then throws his arms at the full, wide follow-up delivery, adding four to his tally with a boundary through gully.

12:24AM

OVER 5: ENG 10/1 (Vince 6* Stoneman 2*)

Oh, yes please. Too full from Starc and Vince simply eases his way into a classic cover drive that flies to the boundary in a flash. The left-armer continues with the full stuff though - clearly the Aussies think they have identified a weakness in Vince's armoury - before firing in a bouncer and following up with some verbals.

Here's that Cook wicket:

12:19AM

OVER 4: ENG 6/1 (Vince 2* Stoneman 2*)

There's a healthy amount of movement on show with the Gabba under a light covering of cloud and it's not looking particularly easy for the English batsmen this morning. On the flip side, it's no minefield. Stoneman gets off the mark by clipping just short of short-leg and picking up a couple as the ball runs away square of the wicket.

12:15AM

OVER 3: ENG 4/1 (Vince 2* Stoneman 0*)

It took an over to adjust his radar, but Starc has the breakthrough and he has given the hosts exactly the start they were looking for. Vince then tucks a couple of hips to get off the mark.

12:13AM

WICKET! Cook c Handscomb b Starc 2

A much better line from Starc forces Cook to defend the first three balls of the over before he suckers the former England skipper into a half prod forward with a full ball outside off stump that takes the edge and carries at perfect waist height to Handscomb at first slip. FOW 2/1

12:10AM

OVER 2: ENG 2/0 (Cook 2* Stoneman 0*)

Hazlewood will share the new ball and there's plenty of bounce as he follows Starc's lead with his strict outside off stump line. Four leaves from Stoneman before he is forced to play a ball (defended with ease back down the ground). Confronted by two opening batsmen who doubtless have a few nerves jangling, Starc and Hazlewood have done precisely nothing to take advantage so far in these opening exchanges.

12:05AM

OVER 1: ENG 2/0 (Cook 2* Stoneman 0*)

The crowd are in fine voice, cheering Starc to the crease for the first ball of this series... which is left by Cook outside off stump. Gentle swing for the left-armer as Cook leaves a second delivery, and a third - any chance of making him play??? - and a fourth, before finally defending the fifth without concern and pushing a two between gully and point off the final ball of the over to kick this whole thing off.

11:59PM

Game on

The players are out. Starc has ball in hand and it is time to begin. Enjoy.

11:55PM

First ball

As the anthems are sung in Brisbane, I give you this (with apologies to Steve Harmison):

11:53PM

Correct decision?

11:49PM

Ball in hand

Who are the Australian bowlers looking to do the damage today? These are the men in the squad (although Bird and Sayers are not involved in this match):

australia bowlers
australia bowlers

There will be a lot of pressure on some rather tender bodies in Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins today and over the course of this match/series.

11:37PM

Motivation

Just in case you were an England supporter seeking extra motivation for the Aussies to be thumped in this series, I give you this monstrosity:

11:34PM

Teams

Here are your runners and riders:

england
england
australia
australia

11:33PM

England win toss and bat

Joe Root calls heads... and it is a head. England will bat first.

It's maybe slightly softer than we anticipated when we got here but I'm sure it will harden up. It looks like a good wicket so we'll bat first and try and go well.

He confirms Jake Ball beats Craig Overton to the final spot in the side.

Steve Smith

I would have had a bat as well but it was a tough one. Hopefully the clouds will hang around for a bit and we can get the ball to move. I think it will be hard work for the batters this morning.

David Warner and Shaun Marsh have both been passed fit.

11:29PM

Here we go

Morning/afternoon/evening folks,

This ought to be fun. Forget everything you've read over the last few weeks because it counts for nothing. As per usual the hype machine has been on overdrive, but thankfully all the nonsense can now end and we can get down to business.

The Aussies are favourites to triumph on home turf, but objectively - if it is at all possible to be objective about these things - there is little to choose between them. Two bang average batting line-ups punctuated by a couple of stars on each side, and the battle of the proven elderly statesmen seamers against the young fiery upstarts.

Who will triumph?

ratings
ratings

11:12PM

Welcome to day one

Nick Houlthas sent this from Brisbane:

England woke up to a headline screaming “Bodyline” in the Brisbane Courier Mail leaving them with one final message of what to expect in this Ashes series.

The hyping of Australia’s pace attack has dominated the lead up to this series and it is now down to Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to deliver on all the big talk.

Moments after the England team bus left their city centre hotel this morning Ben Stokes sent his team-mates a good luck message on Twitter, posting a video filmed in his house. He did his best to hide his own personal pain at not being there but you could see the anguish on his face.

Brisbane Courier Mail - Credit: Brisbane Courier Mail
Credit: Brisbane Courier Mail

“With the Ashes starting very soon I just wanted to get a message out to all the boys in Australia and wish them all the best for the first Test match, all the coaches and backroom staff as well,” he said.

“I know all the preparation that has gone in to making sure everyone is right and ready to go – by the looks of it everyone is – and just wanted to wish all the fans who have made the long trip out to Australia all the best as well, I hope we can give you a good result in the first Test match. I’ll be sat at home watching, following the lads and hoping they do really well.”

England finalised their team yesterday but would not reveal their batting line up. Moeen Ali is expected to move to six in Stokes’s position ahead of Jonny Bairstow. By contrast Australia arrived at the Gabba with fitness tests for David Warner and Shaun Marsh in the nets. Warner’s stiff neck threatens his place while Marsh has a sore back.

It is important for England to take control of the early narrative given the absence of Stokes and the fact both sides are so evenly matched. The Gabba is Australia’s fortress, it is 31 years since they last lost an Ashes Test here and the confidence has covered over the cracks in the team.

Shane Warne has no doubt about Australia’s tactics. Writing in the Courier-Mail he said: “The Australians must go after the Poms with aggression - plenty of short stuff - and really set the tone for the series.”

Time for the talking to end.