Twitter Reaction: Australia and England brace up for the ultimate battle - Ashes 2017-18

Australia and England locked horns on Thursday in Brisbane at the Gabba as they renewed their traditional rivalry in the first Ashes Test. The visitors currently are the holders of the urn as the hosts will look to regain it in the next weeks.There was already a lot of talk from both the camps especially from the Aussies as they usually do but what really matters is the action on the field. However, all the players including the former greats braced themselves up on social media for the ultimate battle ahead of the first Test.

Last time the two team faced each other in whites as in England as the poms won the series by 3-2. But their last tour down under was horrible as Mitchell Johnson had wreaked havoc in their camp with his pace back in 2013. England was whitewashed by the Aussies and once again they would love to open up the scars of that tour this time around. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are being backed to do the job as Joe Root led side look prepared after a few warm-up games.

England start cautiously on Day 1

Root called correctly when the coin was flipped in the air and decided to bat first on a fresh morning in Brisbane. Alastair Cook though was snaffled early Starc with a beautifully pitched up delivery in the third over of the day as the fears of 2013 instilled in the minds of the fans. But the Ashes debutants, Mark Stoneman and James Vince blunted the attack cautiously enough and played patiently until the lunch.

Australia bowled well on a slow Gabba wicket but couldn’t breach the defence of the batsmen. Rain delayed the resumption in the second session but the batsmen are looking comfortable now and have settled in nicely. The scorecard of England read 101/1 after 42 overs as the action is going deep into the day. It would be interesting to see if the hosts can pick up some quick wickets and come back in the game.

However, Twitter was filled up with the excitement ahead of the first Test and couldn’t stop themselves from expressing their thoughts. Right from the players who were ready to step onto the field to all the former greats from both the countries tweeted on the microblogging website before the start of action on day 1.

Here’s how Twitterati braced themselves for the battle: