Optimism was shattered at one minute past the hour at the start of The Ashes 2021.
After Joe Root won the toss and opted to bat, England opener Rory Burns moved across his crease, exposed his leg stump and was clean bowled by Mitchell Starc for a first-ball duck.
Anything can happen in The Ashes – and has done since 1882 - and that certainly happened Wednesday at the Gabba.
Australia knocked over England for just 147 with new captain Pat Cummins the chief destroyer, taking 5/38.
Former cricketer, commentator, after-dinner speaker, dancer and singer Graeme Swann launched onto SENZ Breakfast to offer his take on the astonishing Ashes start.
“What a joke we are, what a joke!” laughed Swanny.
“I've been dreading this day because this Australia team is pants, and we all know it. It's as bad an Australian team as there has been for 20 years.
“And we are equally as bad, apart from Rooty (Joe Root) and (Ben) Stokes, and Jimmy (Anderson) and Broady (Stuart Broad). We left two of them out, one through injury.
“Honestly, our top six wouldn't get in most county sides 10 years ago.
“It's just a joke.
“I’m a proper optimist, but this is terrible. What a joke of a decision (to bat first).”
Swann predicted the end result to be Australia taking the series 3-1.