I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one expected what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead 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 point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adjust or are reluctant 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 their coach, they can be quite rigid 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 whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, backing myself to land the same spot 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, aware a single error could result in multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I played in.
My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the match situation, the innings will go down as a moment of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from here onward.
It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.