The Ashes 2013: Five talking-points from Day 1 at Trent Bridge

Kevin Pietersen of England looks dejected after being dismissed by Peter Siddle of Australia during day one of the 1st Ashes Test at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on July 10, 2013 in Nottingham, England. (Getty Images)

2. Middle-order failure

England’s middle-order failed to stand to the task at hand after the early dismissal of captain. Jonathan Trott looked fluent and proved that even though conditions were difficult, value for shots was available. He scored a quickfire 48 and that proved to be the highest score of the day by an individual batsman as no batsman crossed the half-century mark.

It was not particularly glum for England at end of the first session at 98/2 but the quick dismissal of Kevin Pietersen post-lunch opened the flood gates as Siddle began to roar a little louder. He threw a juicy out-swinger outside the off stump drawing a hard drive from Trott only to get an inside edge that led to his stumps being shattered.

Ian Bell failed to make any impact to the innings and Ashes debutant Jonny Bairstow looked steady before he was bowled by yet another beautiful yorker by Starc. That will be the template for Australia in this series: get the captain early, and put pressure on the middle-order.