I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were well on top at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing a single error could result in multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I participated in.
My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some relief from now on.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.