I'd Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage 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 expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine 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 second day, leading by 105 runs 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. 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 catalyst for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
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 high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them change, 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 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 nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I played in.
My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go 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, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of respite from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away from England quickly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost once more.