I Would Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think anyone anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to complete 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 so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion 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 pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is acceptable 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 entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I depended on my precision, having confidence to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of facing them, aware a single error could bring multiple wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, 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.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from here onward.
It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away 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 must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone once more.