England’s bid to retain the Ashes got off to the worst possible start as Joe Root’s men slumped to a 10-wicket defeat in the first Test at Brisbane. Australia, meanwhile, maintained their supremacy at the Gabba where they are now unbeaten in their last 28 Test matches.

The Ashes are now well and truly underway and the next month or so promises to be an exciting affair. Here, we look at the good and bad performances of the Ashes opener.

THE GOOD

STEVE SMITH’S EPIC HUNDRED THE DIFFERENCE

He might not have been required to bat in Australia’s second innings but it was Smith’s epic unbeaten hundred in the first that paved the way for the hosts to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

With his side in all sorts of trouble in the first innings, the 28-year-old pulled dug deep to record his slowest century to date. Taking 261 deliveries to get to three figures, the 28-year-old displayed immense patience and doggedness to make sure Australia came out ahead with a first innings lead.

Following a top-order collapse, Smith was unflappable in his long vigil at the crease as he shepherded the tail in brilliant fashion. His 21st Test hundred was the difference between the two sides in the end as the hosts preserved their Gabba dominance.

Smith’s unbeaten hundred paved the way for Australia’s victory.

NATHAN LYON WALKS THE TALK

The Australian off-spinner had ruffled plenty of feathers in the English camp ahead of the first Test with his statements about wanting to ‘end careers’ of the visitors. He might not have brought about the end of any careers in the Brisbane victory but the 28-year-old backed up his talk with a fighting performance on the field.

In perhaps the biggest turning point of the game, Lyon sent back James Vince to the dressing room with a brilliant bit of fielding to break a threatening century stand the Englishman had put together with Mark Stoneman.

The off-spinner looked lethal with the red ball as well, extracting some generous turn and bounce on the Gabba wicket to trouble Joe Root’s side. While he could muster only two wickets in the first innings for all his efforts, he was duly rewarded with a three-wicket haul in the second.

Lyon’s direct-hit to run-out Vince on 83 was a huge turning point.

THE BAD

ALASTAIR COOK’S TEST TO FORGET

The former English skipper has been a mainstay at the opener’s slot for England while his partners at the top have kept revolving over the years. Mark Stoneman is the latest to partner Cook and was playing in only his fourth Test for England when he took guard at Brisbane.

With an inexperienced partner in tow, it was imperative for the senior figure to provide England with some solidity at the top. The 32-year-old veteran had a Test to forget though at the Gabba.

He was dismissed for just two runs in the first innings after edging a Mitchell Starc delivery to the slips and was the first to be dismissed in England’s second innings too after miscuing a hook against Josh Hazlewood.  His twin failures meant England were playing on the back-foot for most of the match.

Alastair Cook had a Test to forget.

JAKE BALL FAILS TO IMPRESS

With star all-rounder Ben Stokes not available, Steve Finn was drafted as his replacement for the Ashes. A bad knee-injury to Finn meant Jake Ball was given the fourth-pacer’s slot in the English attack.

The Nottinghamshire pacer was largely ineffective at the Gabba with his gentle pace failing to trouble the Aussie batsmen. With hardly any swing on offer, the 26-year-old was nullified with ease. A solitary wicket while going for over four runs an over in both innings underlines the joy the Australian batsmen found against him.

England might need to look at other options after seeing Ball dealt with so comfortably at the Gabba.

Jake Ball was dealt with comfortably by Australia’s batsmen.