The experts say that the first ball of the Ashes does not define the series.

But what about the third one then?

It did not quite rank with Steve Harmison’s ludicrous long-hop straight to second slip but the immediate exit of Andrew Strauss has already set the tone for a tough struggle to come.

After all the promising build-up and bullish talk of England winning this and that, it was a shuddering reminder for the skipper about what this ancient contest is all about.

Strauss was thinking boundary when he cut hard at Ben Hilfenhaus through gully. Instead, Michael Hussey clung on to the catch and the opener was trudging back to the Gabba pavilion before the first tinnies had even been pulled open.

Welcome to the Ashes, boys. One man down with nothing on the board after choosing to bat first – this is what it’s really about.

And that’s a good thing for me.

The preparations have been a bit too smooth; the phoney war a bit too easy for the tourists. Everything was going so much to plan, while the Aussies were supposedly taking on the traditional English role of falling apart at the seams.

The hosts were in a losing tailspin, a shadow of their former mighty selves. Strauss and Co only had to step off the plane to stroll to victory.

Now we all know better. Thanks to Peter Siddle’s spectacular 26th birthday and the blink-and-you-miss-it bat from the captain, England are in familiar dark territory.

Siddle wasn’t even meant to be in the team, only winning a last-gasp reprieve ahead of Doug Bollinger for the final spot. Some late call-up!

Winning a series in Australia is one of the hardest asks of any achievement in world sport. Don’t be fooled otherwise.

That dodgy day one was a painful kick up the backside – and exactly what was due.

England and Strauss will bounce back stronger for the early setback. There is plenty of character in that side; none bigger than the man at the front.

Ashes cricket isn’t about perfecting the sprinkler dance. It’s a hard, demanding, energy-sapping grind.

That was the message hammered home the moment Hussey snaffled the captain’s cut from right in front of his face.

In doing so, he opened English eyes to the full severity of the contest that will unfold over the next two months. Our hopes of retaining the little urn will be better for it.