England appeared to be saved by the rain after a rampaging Brett Lee was finally let off the leash eight weeks later than planned.
And with Mitchell Johnson, holding on to his own Ashes frustrations steaming in from the other end, England did not make the best start in dealing with the quickest opening bowling attack in world cricket.
They were reduced to 4-2 - chasing Australia’s 145-4 - in just seven balls before the rain ended the evening’s entertainment. But it was already enough to give Joe Denly and Ravi Bopara plenty to think about.
And with Dutch-Aussie Dirk Nannes, who also operates at over 90 miles an hour, to follow them up, England’s top-order batsmen had better be prepared for a pace barrage over the next three weeks of Twenty20 and one-day cricket.