I Would Be Licking My Lips Bowling to England - McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think anyone expected what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, 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 unable to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's method, 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 sticking with that strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, having confidence to land the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware one mistake could result in multiple wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
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 the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I participated in.
My old mate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In promoting Head, who has the experience of opening 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 second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost again.