I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to fight back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think no one expected what happened on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. 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 major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes 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 approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I played in.
My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match 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 elevate Head up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of starting in limited overs, 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 stick with the method of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from here onward.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batters on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.