I'd Be Salivating Facing England - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at 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 following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into 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 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, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
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 loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their pace attack. 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 aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's bowlers, 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 Waca previously – a match I participated in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the context of the match circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the method of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from here onward.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost once more.