I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing England - McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe anyone expected what happened on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their homework, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.
In the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously β a match I participated in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the second innings.
The opener has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In promoting Head, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some relief from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place so often. In general, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.