I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs required to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that strategy.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.
My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the approach of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest 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 got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.
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 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 gone again.