I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe anyone anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, through the covers.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my precision, backing myself to hit 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, aware one mistake could result in multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, 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 adapt, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a match I played in.
My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the second innings.
The opener has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before 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 experience of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the approach of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of getting away from England quickly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone once more.