I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to England - McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs required to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were well on top at lunch on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's shot selection 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 subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, backing myself to hit 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 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 top-class team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed 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, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously â a game I played in.
My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue 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 Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some respite from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of getting away from England quickly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost once more.