‘It’s not all doom and gloom’ – Australia legend says England shouldn’t be written off despite shocking first day in The Ashes

It’s not all doom and gloom for England despite their disastrous start to The Ashes, according to Australia legend Brad Hogg.

Joe Root’s side were all out for 147 as Aussie skipper Pat Cummins was in dreamland by taking five wickets.

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It was just the start England didn’t want and Rory Burns getting out first ball set the tone for the whole day.

“It’s been fantastic and that first ball really set the tone and momentum for Australia,” Hogg told talkSPORT Breakfast.

“Rory Burns overstepping one. It was a bit like you [speaking to co-host Ally McCoist] playing for Rangers and dribbling around the Celtic goalkeeper and getting that easy goal. 

“It was all over the shop. That was probably the perfect ball to bowl to Rory Burns and I knew [Mitchell] Starc would go straight and try and wrap him on the pads, but to get it wide and swing from outside leg stump was unbelievable. 

“It was an accidental best first ball you could bowl in an Ashes.”

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But the Australian says there is still hope for England at The Gabba with conditions set to be difficult with uncharacteristic weather.

Rain ended play on day one Down Under before Joe Root’s side got out to bowl and those wet conditions may carry on throughout the first Test.

Hogg believes England should not be written off entirely just yet.

He added: “It’s not all doom and gloom as it’s a little wet on this wicket, a little damp, and there was some movement early on.

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“I thought the English batsmen batted pretty well, but the only thing is you are trying to go from white ball cricket, to playing in English conditions, to coming over here in Australia where there is extra pace and bounce.

“We are taught to leave the ball a lot early on in our innings, especially with the new ball. To try and adapt to that as an Englishman is very tough.

“They’ve really not had game time or decent preparation for that. Don’t write them off yet.

“I’m pretty happy with their bowling attack as well and I think they will trouble the Australians.”