A determined and well-prepared England threw everything at an unsettled Australia in the opening three days of the first Test in an absorbing battle of cat and mouse.
THE ASHES 2017-18
Buoyant Australia well poised to ride on momentum
Steve Smith was pleased with his team's efforts in the first Test © Getty
Eventually, Australia's firepower and superstars came to the fore and England's first Test dreams quickly spiralled - in a bitter blow to their Ashes campaign. Australia's maligned batting looked wobbly but it doesn't seem to really matter on home terrain when Steve Smith and Dave Warner keep scoring runs at will.
In a welcome tonic, debutant opener Cameron Bancroft looked a natural at the top and seems to be the answer to Australia's troublesome riddle of finding Warner a stable partner. Displaying a stout defence and unwavering temperament, the 24-year-old was totally unruffled to compile his first Test half-century and help ensure Australia make an early resounding statement with a 10-wicket victory.
Even the spotlight over the
