The winter Ashes look bitter for England as they seem off colour in Australia in the First Test.
A few months ago, The Ashes in England had a very similar script, the home team batsmen and bowlers piled the pressure on the visitors. The return Ashes in Australia may just be in the first Test but the story seems the same.
This time the hosts are Australia and they seem to be on top in the first Test at the Gabba. The first innings when Australia were bowled out for under 300 fans and cricket critics felt it would be a repeat of a few months ago where England hammered Australia to take the series.
David Warner who missed out on a 50 in the first innings made good of his chance in the second innings as he slammed a ton. Australian captain Michael Clarke also followed suit as he scored his 25th Test century.
Australia declared to set England a target of 500 plus runs to win the First Test. The mammoth score got the better of the English players as they ended the day losing two wickets.
Rain is expected and this may just end up saving England. But the Australian team looks much better and confident in home conditions. It was their batsmen who failed them in England but Brad Haddin, Clarke and Warner have shown that they are very serious about getting back The Ashes.
The bowlers as always have been Australia's plus points and Johnson's inclusion has added the extra edge and punch in terms of pace and attitude that the team needed. If their batsmen play well, Australia look good to win back the Ashes.
England on the other hand look far from the confident team who played brilliantly as a unit. The home conditions have reversed and they face a hostile crowd as well as an opposition team who seem stronger than they were a few months ago.
In the first Ashes Test, Australia seem to have the edge and they seem hell bent on setting the tone for the remainder of the series as they seek to unsettle the English bowlers and batsmen.
