10 things we learnt from the Gabba Test Match

The first test of the 2010 Ashes is over, ending in an entertaining and record-breaking draw. With the second test in Adelaide kicking off on Thursday night, the teams have little time to reflect on their time in Brisbane. But what has been learnt?

1. England have metal: Many questioned whether, despite arguably being the more talented side, England would have the required character to succeed when under pressure. However, led by the superb Alastair Cook, England's top order showed that the team is a different animal to those that have previously been humiliated Down Under. In similar situations, the tourists have usually relied on the likes of Paul Collingwood to dig them out of trouble, but by not needing his services the confidence in the batting order will be sky high.

2. James Anderson can bowl in Australia: By the end of the 2006/07 series, James Anderson was, like every English cricket fan, thoroughly downbeat. However, unlike most English cricket fans, the Lancastrian had even more reason to feel sorry for himself, as he had felt the full force of the Australian batting line-up. With a distinct lack of swing, the man from Burnley put in some very ordinary performances. Four years on, though, and he is a man reborn. He was England's most dangerous bowler and was very unlucky not to pick up more wickets than the two that he did. He is known as 'The Bowling Captain', and has a huge job to do over the remaining four tests.

3. Mike Hussey is back: Before this test match, Mike Hussey was in the last chance saloon. A failure in Brisbane could have ended his test match career. However, despite looking shaky early on, Hussey batted brilliantly to put Australia in a commanding position. He was very unlucky not to make a double century, and has surely now cemented his place in the side for the foreseeable future.

4. Marcus North is walking a tightrope: Many cricket fans already knew North needed a big performance at the Gabba to get the critics off his back. However, he scored just one and again fell victim to Graeme Swann. His only highlight was the wicket of Andrew Strauss in England's second innings, and his ability to bowl occasional off-spin may be the reason why he has been retained for Adelaide, a pitch which usually aids spin bowling.

5. Mitchell Johnson has fallen off the tightrope: Match figures of 0-170. A nineteen-ball duck. A horrendous dropped catch. A even more horrendous moustache. I don't think anything more needs adding.

6. Xavier didn't have the 'X Factor': Xavier Doherty's selection for the opening test was greeted with raised eyebrows, with many commentators asking whether a man with a first-class bowling average of 48 would be able to trouble England's batsmen. The answer to that question was no, he couldn't. In his much anticipated battle with Kevin Pietersen,  England's number four won hands down, whilst his two wickets were not exactly due to world-class bowling; Ian Bell was caught in the deep when hitting out whilst Jimmy Anderson was bowled playing the reverse sweep (I never thought I'd ever write that sentence).

7. Ben Hilfenhaus bowls a mean first over: On the whole, Ben Hilfenhaus did not have a great test match. However, in both innings' his opening over caused no end of problems to the England batsmen, and namely captain Andrew Strauss. In the first innings Strauss was caught in the gully from the third ball of the opening over, whilst the first ball of the second innings saw the England captain survive a huge lbw appeal. If Hilfenhaus can translate this type of form into his other overs, he could become a real threat in the test matches to come.

8. Australian fans are very good as dressing up as empty seats: The final two days of the test match saw very disappointing crowds, especially given the tightness of the match. Whether this is down to ticket prices or a lack of interest is unclear, but whatever the reason the relevant authorities at Cricket Australia will be hoping to see a huge improvement on the attendances from Brisbane.

9. The Barmy Army haven't changed: Despite the 5-0 whitewash of the 2006/07 series, many people remember the series for the brilliant visiting support given by the Barmy Army. Despite reports suggesting less England fans would be travelling Down Under this time round, the Army seemed to be louder than ever in Brisbane. With new songs and old, they are sure to keep us entertained throughout the series.

10. This could be the closest series ever!

England's One Day Side: The Spinners

Now that England's one day series against Bangladesh has drawn to a close (with England winning the series 3-0), the nation's once ridiculed side is threatening to become a professional outfit.

The omission of key players such as captain Andrew Strauss and premier bowler James Anderson has given opportunities to new candidates to be part of the team at the World Cup in 2011.

However, these new candidates to be on the plane to India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will no doubt cause the selectors no end of problems

The Spinners

England's spin department is almost unique; the selectors should have no problem in choosing who is going to take up the role.

Graeme Swann's transition into a world-class off spin bowler has been nothing short of miraculous. Just over 18 months ago he was a good county bowler who was picking up wickets on a regular basis for Nottinghamshire.

However, after three memorable test and one-day series' against the West Indies, Australia and, most recently, South Africa, Swann has become one of the top spin bowlers in world cricket.

His ability to bowl at and get left-handers out has made him England's turn-to bowler whenever a leftie strides to the crease. His impressive lower-order batting makes him the perfect one-day spin bowler.

But what of the rest? James Tredwell has been called up to the senior squad after impressing last season and he hasn't disappointed. His six wickets in the first innings of England's three day warm-up match in Bangladesh this week has meant he is now unrivalled as England's second choice spinner and if he carries on to perform, it will be hard to dispense of him.

Whilst Swann & Tredwell are traditional off-spinners, the other varieties of spin have passed by for England of late. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid has spent two winter tours carrying the drinks, and the tonking he took against the hands of South Africa as meant the selectors have decided to look elsewhere, despite the undoubted talent of the Yorkshire all-rounder.

And let us not forget Monty Panesar. Once the Barmy Army's cult hero, the slow-left arm has not only been dropped by his national side, but also by former county Northamptonshire. His poor fielding and batting just added to the ease of his displacement as England's first choice slow bowler.

But remember, without Monty's first test heroics, the Ashes would be back Down Under...