I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening 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 remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their homework, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
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 fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, aware a single error could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue 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 very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Frequently it seems England have one method, then no alternatives 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 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 participated in.
My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the context of the game situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the second innings.
The opener has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.
In promoting 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 second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are just one match 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 historic urn will be lost again.