I'd Be Salivating Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand 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 method.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my precision, backing myself to hit the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could result in three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.
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Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, 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 continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from now on.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.