I'd Be Salivating Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the first 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?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break 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 get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could result in three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their pace attack. 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 the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I participated in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the second innings.
The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman failed on day one, Australia promoted 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 question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from now on.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.