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Queensland Police's brutal act after England batting collapse

Pictured right, Australia players celebrate and Ben Stokes walks back to the pavilion on the left.
England have come under fire after their batting collapse on the opening day of the first Ashes Test. Pic: Getty

England's Ashes campaign couldn't have gotten off to a worse start and predictably, the barbs have already been coming in thick and fast for the besieged tourists.

Back home, the UK press has been understandably scathing Australia bowled England out for just 147 inside 51 overs on a rain-affected opening day at the Gabba.

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England skipper Joe Root's decision to bat first in overcast conditions on a greenish pitch was made to look foolish, and the decision to omit veteran quicks James Anderson and Stuart Broad raised more than a few eyebrows.

However, it was the meek nature of England's batting collapse that has come in for the most criticism, with even members of Australia's police force joining in on the mockery on social media.

Queensland Police couldn't resist a chance to take a swipe at England after their horror batting collapse, jokingly tweeting that they were "launching an investigation into a group impersonating a Test batting order".

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain was among those to slam Root's decision to bat first in conditions that looked ideal for the tourist's pace attack.

"It was a green pitch here and it had been raining but while everyone focuses on what the pitch is doing on the first morning, as a captain you have to think what the pitch look like on days three, four and five," Hussain wrote in his Sky Sports column.

"The humidity, the cracks in the pitch, the fact it tends to get a bit quicker - you have to think ahead.

"Obviously 147 all out tells you it was the wrong decision with the way it (the ball) seamed around and bounced and sometimes you can confuse it all. I know, I did it."

Hussein's comments were tame compared to some of the analysis from the UK press, with The Telegraph's Oliver Brown insisting Rory Burns' first ball duck will "live in infamy".

“It was an unforgettable piece of sporting theatre, with Starc celebrating so hard you feared the veins in his neck might burst.

“For an opener still struggling to justify his place, now with six ducks to his name in his 16 innings this year, it brought the grisliest humiliation.”

Telegraph cricket writer Scyld Berry was also among those scratching their heads at Root's decision to bat first.

“Play what is in front of you,” he wrote.

“And a Test match can never be won in a session but it can be lost in one: another saying which is still valid even in this age of data. But Root seems to have ignored both of these eternal verities.

“Let us not forget though the pressure Root is under. This series will define his captaincy, so he himself has said.

“And for every England captain, the first Test in Brisbane is usually the most stressful moment of their careers, an uncontrollable blur of sleepless nights.”

Joe Root under fire for batting first

The Mail’s Lawrence Booth was also less than impressed by Root's call and suggested it set England up to fail.

“Was it bold? Definitely. Was it foolhardy? Probably. Regardless, there was only one way for England to lose the Test on the first day, and that was by batting in helpful conditions against Australia’s world-class attack.

“It was the 10th time they have been dismissed for under 200 this year – barely a basis for negotiation, let alone the foundations of an Ashes-winning bid. Almost before they have begun, England are chasing their tails.”

Seen here, England captain Joe Root chat to the umpires before the first Ashes Test.
England captain Joe Root was made to look a little silly after deciding to bat first at the Gabba. Pic: AAP

England batter Ollie Pope urged pundits not to judge his side until both sides had batted at the Gabba.

"It wasn't always the easiest to score on," Pope said.

"This pitch supposedly gets a bit quicker and keeps carrying, so it'll be interesting to see how it plays.

"We've definitely got the skill set to drag it back and hopefully go big in the second dig

"We're going to keep fighting.

"We're going to come back stronger."

with agencies

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