I'd Be Salivating Facing England - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe anyone anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
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 turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, 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 homework, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is fine 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 struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my precision, having confidence to hit the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
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 capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, 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 approach of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move 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 first Test was controlled by the pace attack, 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 global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some relief from now on.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost once more.