I Would Be Licking My Lips Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe anyone anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were well on top at lunch 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 re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are reluctant 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 their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the game 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 performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, aware a single error could bring three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. 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 bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.
In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I participated in.
My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.
The opener has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
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 stick with the method of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some relief from now on.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost once more.