I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough 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 probably his worst 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 outside 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 preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's method, 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 strategy.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, knowing a single error could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.
My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving Head, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack 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 approach of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, 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 difficult for the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone once more.