10 things we learnt from the first Ashes Test: Steve Smith all class and Pat Cummins worth the wait

IT was a Test win in the style of a Floyd Mayweather fight — start solidly, duck and weave, cop a few on the chin, stay in the contest, see what they’ve got, then … bang, goodnight!

Steve Smith proved at The Gabba that he is unquestionably the world’s best batsman on current form.

AUSTRALIA’s first Test victory, wrapped up by some effortless batting from David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, was a Floyd Mayweather-style Ashes win.

Start solidly, duck and weave, cop a few on the chin, stay in the contest, don’t do anything crazy, see what they’ve got, and then … bang, goodnight.

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It worked for the great American boxer in a 50-0 career and it has enabled Australia to slam England’s fist on the table after a four-day arm wrestle.

Here’s 10 things we’ve learnt from the first Test which was a tight cagey affair ... until, well, it wasn’t.

1.

India may rule the cricket world but the Ashes are still the greatest cricketing show on earth.

The Richies were out in force in a carnival atmosphere at The Gabba.

2.

Steve Smith could retire now — fortunately he won’t — and still be regarded as one of Australia’s finest batsmen ever. The mind boggles and what his numbers could like if he plays another seven or so Test years.

Steve Smith is already one of the finest players of this or any other generation.

3.

England’s tail need a crash course in how to play short-pitched bowling because they are going to be on the trampoline all summer. It could get ugly.

England’s tail were tied up in knots by Australia’s pace attack.

4.

England are a decent, well-planned team and Joe Root gained rightful plaudits for clever fields, but a word of warning — Australia rarely gets sandpapered into oblivion with defensive tactics on home soil.

Generally you have to meet aggression with aggression. England have also lost the element of surprise with their funky fields. Do they have a Plan B?

5.

Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad may not be the hellraising force they can be in England but they are still exceptional bowlers and could fill their boots under lights in Adelaide.

England’s back-up bowlers, however, are a worry. At least one of them has to stand up for England to be any chance of retaining the Ashes.

6.

Keeper Tim Paine has a slickness that belies the fact that he could not get a first-up game for Tasmania last season.

Yes, he did drop a first-innings catch off Nathan Lyon but his work to the slow man was still the highlight of his Test featuring a deft stumping and some silky takes behind the batsmen’s body.

Tim Paine showed quick hands and a quicker mind to stump Moeen Ali.

7.

Pat Cummins has been worth the wait. For someone playing just his 16th first-class match he has impressive cricket smarts. His robust 42 was crucial and four wickets gave him a solid Ashes debut.

Pat Cummins hinted that he has a future role as a genuine allrounder.

8.

The naked eye counts for less than technology these days in off-field decision making. The contentious snickometer revealed a tiny edge that claimed Stuart Broad yet there appeared to be space between bat and ball on one replay.

9.

Australia still craves an allrounder. The sight of Mitchell Starc gripping his right ankle in the field just before the end of the England innings underlined the importance of not overburdening an attack that has another four Tests to play in the next six weeks.

Ben Stokes’ absence was felt by England who showed a soft middle without him.

10.

However bad Ben Stokes was feeling before this Test he will be feeling worse now. The victory margin between the sides may be huge this morning, the gap between them was small enough that one key man could have changed the result.

Originally published as 10 things we learnt from the first Ashes Test: Steve Smith all class and Pat Cummins worth the wait