EVEN the most optimistic of script-writers would struggle to have predicted what unfolded on the opening day at the MCG.

The Aussies were ruthlessly put to the sword in devastating fashion on one of the biggest days in their country’s sporting calender.

It is ironic that so much was made of how the pitch would suit the Aussies and how England would be stuffed like Christmas turkeys.

Instead it was the tourists who made mincemeat out of their hosts.

Jimmy Anderson and Chris Tremlett were superb.

There were plenty of question marks surrounding Anderson’s ability to lead the England attack outside of his own country, but his critics will be eating humble pie after such impressive displays with the new ball.

Many of the key moments which could decide the destination of the Ashes centre around the Burnley Express.

He took the key wickets of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke to reduce Australia to 2-3 in the opening throes of the second Test – a perilous position from which the Baggy Greens failed to full recover from on their way to an innings defeat.

And, on Boxing Day he landed the defining punch of the Australian first innings when he dismissed Mike Hussey, the man in form, to set up a catastrophic Australian collapse.

His partner-in-crime was Chris Tremlett, who is doing a mighty fine job of ensuring Stuart Broad is not missed too much.

The Surrey seamer set the tone for the day by getting rid of Shane Watson and Ponting and he is reminiscent of Andy Caddick in the way he nags away around the off stump, bowling wicket-taking deliveries almost at ease.

Like Caddick, some of his deliveries are often too good for the batsman to nick and he is more than capable of beating the bat time-after-time.