I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, 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 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.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand 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 acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, having confidence to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of facing them, knowing one mistake could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed 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 change, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I participated in.
My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.
The opener has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening 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 approach of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from here onward.
It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering 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 part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.