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'What the hell': Australia crumble early in 'haunting' Ashes sign

England fielding with five slips in Hobart on the first session of the fifth Ashes Test.
England deployed five slips as they had Australia reeling at 3/12 in the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart. (Image: Twitter)

Australia's top order fell like dominoes in the first session of the fifth Test in Hobart as England won the toss and elected to bowl on a green pitch.

Images before the toss showed plenty of green on the pitch and England won the toss and sent Australia in to bat.

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And it was immediately evident both David Warner, Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith were uncomfortable after they were all dismissed for single figures with the pink ball.

Australia were sitting at just 3-12 early in overcast conditions at Bellerive Oval.

With the Aussie batting line-up reeling for the first time in the series, England captain Joe Root threw in five slips as the ball moved around.

Fans took to social media to express their shock at just how green the pitch was.

Many fans also pointed out it was dream bowling conditions for the visitors.

Australia's Hobart horrors

Australia's last Test held in Hobart was the 2016 calamity, in which Australia was thumped by South Africa by an innings and 80 runs.

The hosts were rolled for 85 in the first innings and 161 in their second, lasting a combined 93 overs against South Africa.

Adam Voges, Callum Ferguson and Peter Nevill never played another Test, with only David Warner, Smith and Khawaja remaining in Australia's current top seven.

Stuart Broad (pictured middle) celebrates with teammates after dismissing Australian batsman Usman Khawaja.
Stuart Broad (pictured middle) celebrates with teammates after dismissing Australian batsman Usman Khawaja. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier in the day, former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said it was a huge loss for England to have rested Jimmy Anderson for the final Test.

“Jimmy Anderson is not playing on this wicket and there’s some pressure on these bowlers to get 20 wickets from England,” he added.

“If Joe Root wins the toss and bowls and they have a bad day with no Anderson in this team on that wicket, good luck.”

However, early signs appeared England were able to cope in the ideal conditions without their veteran.

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