I Would Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe no one expected what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, knowing a single error could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. 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 things unfolded at Perth Stadium, 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 get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I played in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the second innings.
The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from now on.
It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be gone once more.