Harry Brook found himself walking back to the Edgbaston pavilion in the strangest circumstances, after getting out in England's opening Ashes innings to the unluckiest dismissal ever.
The Ashes got underway on Friday morning in Birmingham, with it being probably the most hotly anticipated series between England and Australia since 2005.
Bazball was on display almost instantly as Zak Crawley got the England effort underway with a four off the first ball of the series, after Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat.
Advert
It certainly made a change from Rory Burns getting out to the very first ball back in 2021 and put the hosts on the front foot from the off.
England's attacking intent was obvious from there on and Australia were already having to make defensive changes to their fields after just a few overs.
Ben Duckett was then the first man out as Josh Hazlewood struck by inducing the edge from the opener, with wicket keeper Alex Carey taking the catch.
Advert
Ollie Pope was dismissed by Nathan Lyon by LBW after a review from the Australians and Crawley was then out in the final over before lunch as he gloved one from Scott Boland to leave England at 126-3.
Joe Root and Brook then seemed to be going well, before the latter was lucky to be dropped by Travis Head after a misjudged shot.
Having survived what should have been an easy wicket, the Yorkshire batter was then out in bizarre circumstances as the ball hit his hip, looped in the air and then came back down onto his leg before rolling onto the stumps.
"Aussies getting all the luck as usual," moaned one fan.
Advert
"We've seen plenty of bizarre dismissals in our time but this takes the cake," added a second.
Worrying about what the rest of the series will hold, a third said: "Hope this isn't the sign of things to come. When you just need a little bit of luck, and this is the result."
"Sigh - all the months of anticipation and fate already has other plans for England," another rather depressingly exclaimed.
"Harry Brook turning one more than Nathan Lyon has managed in 12 overs," joked a fifth.
Featured Image Credit: Sky SportsTopics: Cricket, England, Australia
