Ashes 2017/18: The Talking Is Over, The Action Has Begun

Nothing quite compares to the anticipation, excitement and tension that surrounds major sporting events.

Two heavyweight boxers trash talking their way towards the ring for a world title bout, the final day of a Ryder Cup as it reaches its singles climax or the unique occasion that is a British and Irish Lions tour in rugby union.

The media attention, the clamour for TV rights and tickets, the sharing of opinions between respective supporters – all of it coming days, weeks, sometimes months before the occasion begins. It’s all a part of it. For the big sporting occasions - World Cups, Grand Slams, Olympic finals – extensive build-up has become a pre-requisite. And then suddenly the butterflies truly arrive, the talking stops and the action begins.

England versus Australia in the cricket, the Ashes, is the oldest sporting rivalry in the world. It’s not weeks or months of build-up, it’s years. As one Ashes ends, all the talk is of the next one two years later. No sooner had Alastair Cook’s England claimed the urn back in 2015, than the challenge was focused on 2017 and bidding to do what most Three Lions sides are unable to, and return to British soil with Ashes holders still by their name.

Yes there are big series in between – a tour of India, for instance – and both the Twenty20 and 50-over World Cups. But always, the end game is the next Ashes series. Whatever happens in between, for both England and Australia, as long as they can succeed in the most challenging battle of all, biennially, that’s what most of the players and supporters crave. For Englishmen and Australians, that’s when careers are made or broken, heroes and villains are born and memories become everlasting.

So when the talking stops, the action finally becomes the focus. And there isn’t a much more exciting moment, with the stomach churning with nerves as you look on from the stands or on the TV, than the very first ball of the first Ashes Test of the series.

As an Englishman, memories of staying up late to catch at least the first morning of day one at The Gabba burn bright. The sheer dread of what will come over the next two hours, let alone five days, in what is Australia’s fortress, is enough to make you hide behind your pillow.

Who can forget in 2006, when Steven Harmison’s first ball somehow went straight to second slip. Fellow opening bowler Matthew Hoggard admits he celebrated, assuming Justin Langer had nicked it.

And in 2010, with England for once expected to win the series Down Under, captain Andrew Strauss marked his crease ready to face Ben Hilfenhaus and went third ball of the very first over. His anxiety getting the better of him as he cut to Michael Hussey at third slip.

So with the talking finally over, what happened overnight, as the latest edition got underway? Joe Root won the toss and, predictably, decided to bat. Cook, who got a double hundred in that 2010 Test to rescue Strauss and force a draw for England, left well against a fired-up Mitchell Starc – for whom so much of the build-up has revolved around – in the first over, avoiding the same fate of Strauss. Ashes debutant Mark Stoneman did likewise against Josh Hazelwood in his first over.

However, Cook was soon on his way for just two runs. English optimism from the toss deflated in the third over as the left-hander induced an edge, aided by a slight hint of swing. James Vince, another England Ashes debutant, was in immediately to join his fellow rookie at the crease. What a start for the hosts.

There have been question marks over Stoneman and the recalled Vince, but they batted superbly to move England into a strong position and overcome the early loss of their former captain. Stoneman was watchful, obdurate, and seemingly immovable to reach another 50 – as he had done in all of his innings on tour so far.

Vince was sumptuous in his play, living up to the hype that has surrounded him in the past, cutting and driving his way beyond 50.

Rain intervened to dampen the excitement but at tea England were firmly on top, despite Cummins brilliantly removing Stoneman (53) just before the interval.

As many England fans woke to ready themselves for work, Australia had moved back into the game as Nathan Lyon superbly ran out Vince (83), just when he finally looked set for a first England ton. And captain Root departed soon after, Cummins with an absolute beauty to ensure he outbowled the much-heralded opening duo of Starc and Hazlewood.

England had slipped from 127-1 to 163-4 and a familiar feeling of dread and middle order collapses crept into visiting supporters’ thoughts as they poured their tea and buttered their toast.

Cummins was dangerous but Lyon was the best bowler and looked a threat with every ball.

Come the end of a thrilling first day’s play – despite the delay and a slow run rate – it was honours even. Moeen Ali, promoted to six in the absence of Ben Stokes, joined another Ashes debutant in Dawid Malan to see England to the close on 196-4. Ali even struck the series’ first six, proving it is possible to get at Lyon, whose ability to spin the ball on a day one Gabba pitch doesn’t bode well for the Three Lions.

So, was it worth the wait? Roll on midnight…