On the day of their impaling at the game's spiritual home, Cricket Australia was forced to issue a statement on behalf of David Warner - himself already in the doghouse - disassociating him from a rude tweet sent by his brother about Shane Watson, the opening batsman who extended his collection of false dawns by falling lbw to James Anderson for 20.

On the averages, and Australia's recent Test record, England's superiority here is no great surprise. At Trent Bridge, Darren Lehmann's team overachieved, creeping to within 14 runs of a famous victory after needing 80 to win with nine wickets down. It was always hard to imagine them improving much on that performance. England, on the other hand, were bound to come on for the run. But nobody could have expected such a graphic illustration of Australian weaknesses, or for the series to expire so fast.

The magical aura of a Lord's Ashes Test was certainly detectable when Australia flew in their legends to inspire by example. And the steady flow of politicians, musicians, actors and other celebrities into the Test Match Special commentary box was testament to the excitement generated in Nottingham. Both David Cameron and Ed Miliband paraded their love of cricket. Across the whole social scene it was clearly hip to be seen at Lord's. In England, after a year of prizes and bunting, sport is almost guaranteed to confer good days out.

Few came to Lord's expecting a massacre. In most minds still were the long tussles of 2005 and 2009. Australia might not be much to look at but they had a new coach and a bit more bite. The long hot summer was unfolding nicely. England's first innings brought another century for Ian Bell but no suggestion of a mismatch, even if England had been 28 for three before amassing 361.

On this batting pitch, Australia could expect a big score of their own. But then Watson fell to the last ball before lunch and wasted a review. Watson's selfishness in placing his own vain hope before the needs of his team seemed to detonate the Australian innings spiritually. Chris Rogers, Usman Khawaja, Michael Clarke and Steve Smith all went cheaply as they collapsed to 128 all out.