I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think anyone anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.
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 shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.
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 strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, 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 relied on my precision, having confidence to hit 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 bowling to them, aware 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 ability, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, devastated 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.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a match I played in.
My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost again.