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The charabanc has rolled into after the dramatic Ashes opener at the Gabba.

Although , there does seem a feeling among most of the Australians I've met over the past 24 hours that England have the upper hand following the five days up in Brisbane.

When we checked in at Brisbane airport, I wasn't given the warmest of welcomes. The man behind the desk turned to his colleague and said: "After 517 for one yesterday, I should be charging you poms extra excess baggage."

He then delighted in telling us that things weren't running smoothly for the England team. "I've just checked your mob in - but their flight is already delayed by an hour. Serves then right for what they did to us yesterday," he added.

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At the first news conference I attended here in Brisbane, the always-lively about playing in the Ashes down under.

The spinner said: "When we first got over here, I daren't think of the first Test match - because I was like a kid on December the first, with an Advent calendar. I couldn't wait for the 25th to come along."

Well after a build-up which seemed almost to begin when Swann claimed the winning wicket at The Oval last summer, that day has finally arrived.

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