The view from Down Under

Australian press lament lost hope of close series

"England had one excellent day, one fair one and two absolute stinkers, confirming everyone's suspicion that they have enough talent to muster a fighting hour, session or day, but nowhere near enough to sustain it day after day."
Robert Craddock
The Advertiser, Adelaide

"England has been thumped. Hopes of an Ashes series capable of maintaining widespread attention crumbled."
Peter Roebuck
The Age, Melbourne

"The innings lasted just 127 minutes, shorter than an [Aussie Rules] AFL match and about as long as many of the in-house movies the team would have watched with blank faces at its Brisbane hotel last night."
Herald-Sun, Melbourne

"The Ashes are poised to stay in Australia's grasp for the eighth successive series after red-faced England were bowled out for a sorrowful 79 in 28.2 overs yesterday."
Robert Craddock
The Advertiser, Adelaide

"Even by the lowly standards of England's recent humiliating Ashes history, yesterday's capitulation in the first Test at Brisbane's Gabba was remarkable."
Malcolm Conn
The Australian