Ashes 2017/18, 1st Test: Hits and misses

The fortress of the 'Gabbatoir' remains unbreached at the Ashes, as Australia took a 1-0 lead in their pursuit to regain the iconic urn and preserve an unbeaten record in Brisbane that stretches back to 1988.

It was a gripping contest for the first three days before the touring party's batting failed to show any resistance, and hosts Australia came in touching distance of a win on the fourth evening itself.

Needing 170 to win in the final innings, Australia were just 56 short when David Warner and Cameron Bancroft walked out to resume batting on Monday morning.

It turned out to be a walk in the park for the Australian openers as they handed a crushing 10-wicket defeat to England.

The day-night Test that begins on Saturday can now be considered a must-win for England's morale. But before the Ashes action moves to Adelaide, let's have a look at the hits and misses from the first Test.

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Miss: Chris Woakes

Australia v England - First Test: Day 4

Chris Woakes, who took six wickets in the final Ashes warm-up game, was the frontrunner to fill the void left by England's celebrated all-rounder Ben Stokes.

Unfortunately, Stokes was dearly missed in Brisbane by his countrymen.

With 17 runs in two innings and a wicket - Pat Cummins, Woakes certainly failed to live up to the hoopla associated with his 'dangerman' status.

Touted as 'the best number 9 in Test cricket', the 28-year-old moved up the batting order to number 8 but could not fill Big Ben's boots.

Woakes, who was raring to rattle Australia before the start of the Test, will have to prove his mettle as a bowler, and only that will define the success of his first Ashes trip.

Hit: Nathan Lyon

Despite all the hype around Australia's pace battery, off-spinner Nathan Lyon emerged a clear winner with his accurate line and variation.

On the verge of becoming Australia’s sixth highest wicket-taker in history, Lyon moved past 50 Test wickets for 2017 and exposed the chinks in England's batting armour.

Although he is not very comfortable bowling to left-handers, Lyon looked dangerous with every ball.He got rid of three of four lefties in England's batting line-up in the second innings.

Moeen Ali, who is a left-hander and a decent player of spin, was dismissed by Lyon in both the innings.With Lyon bowling so accurately against the left-handers, England will have to revamp their batting order before the Adelaide Test.

In addition to claiming five crucial wickets, a sensational throw from the covers to dismiss well-set James Vince (83) by a mile, was the cherry on top for the in-form spinner.

Hit: Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc, who broke Joe Root's helmet with a nasty bouncer this week, was at his fiercest self in Brisbane. The left-arm speedster showed no mercy towards England's struggling tail-enders as the tormented them with a barrage of bouncers.

Although the visitors themselves are to be blamed for their humiliating display on Day 4, Starc was also somewhat responsible for dismissing England on 195, leaving a modest target of 170 for Australia to win the series opener.

Starc and Pat Cummins blew away England's tail in the second innings, and the likes of Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Jonny Bairstow had no answer to Starc's bouncer treatment.

It was quite evident that Starc, who took six wickets in the match, was aiming to emulate the antics of his namesake - Mitchell Johnson - that blitzed England in 2013-14.

Miss: Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook, who led England to Ashes glory in 2015, continued to be the biggest concern for the visitors after his double failure in Brisbane. Cook, who contributed nine runs in two innings, has just three centuries in his last 54 Test innings.

Despite a recent slump, the left-handed opening batsman is the most experienced in England's not-so-experienced unit. He will have to regain his lost touch as quickly as possible as he is a vital cog in England's hopes to retain the urn.

With the visitors already on the back foot with a loss in the first Test, Cook will have to provide a good start to England in the upcoming Adelaide Test.

Hit: Steven Smith

A match-defining century against all odds made Australia skipper Steven Smith a clear choice for the man-of-the-match award courtesy his ground-breaking 141 not out.

The world's best batsman in the longest format of the game rose to the occasion to set the Gabbatoir on fire when it mattered the most. From fighting for survival to a blistering onslaught, Smith's defiant ton at the Gabba was an epitome of grit and resilience.

Smith batted for more than eight and a half hours for the ton that came on Day 3 of the first Ashes contest, the 21st of his 57-match Test career.

It was Smith's epic ton that provided the hosts with an edge and eventually led to their win in the Ashes opener.