Ashes: 'Optimism shattered at one minute past midnight'

There were 302 balls to be taken at The Gabba in Brisbane on the first day of The Ashes, but it was the very first delivery which became the most talked about.

After Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat, England opener Rory Burns moved across his crease, exposing his leg stump and was clean bowled by Mitchell Starc.

It wasn't the start any England fan wanted, but can the first ball set the tone for the rest of the series?

Steve Harmison's ball was taken by AndrewFlintoff at first slip.

Phil DeFreitas' first delivery was cut for four in 1994.

In 1936, England's opener Thomas Worthington was dismissed by an Australia seamer.

Australia won The Ashes in three of the four times.

As Burns left the changing rooms at 00:01 GMT, England fans' hopes were already starting to fade.

These former Aussie internationals were absolutely loving it.

Alex Tudor was an ex-England bowler.

He was wrong. England were four down at the end of the first session.

Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins took two of the three England players to fall.

Alex, you have dreams.

The crinkles continued to fall.

The tourists were all out for 147 when Chris woakes was dismissed by Pat Cummins.

There was a collective sigh of disappointment across the country, whether you were hardcore enough to stay up through the night or woke up and checked the score on your phone first thing.

This cricket and snooker fan found humor in England's downfall.

Was it former Australia internationals? They were still enjoying it.

Hope could now turn to England's bowling attack, or a much-improved batting performance in the second-innings but, for many England fans, their faith is now firmly in the hands of the Brisbane weather.

If you search high and low, you may find the rare England fan who wasn't too downbeat at the end of the game.