I'd Be Salivating Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to fight 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 remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe no one expected what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, 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 precision, backing myself to hit the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could result in multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit 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 Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
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Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the second innings.
The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In promoting Head, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Upcoming Decisions
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 continuation at the top, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some relief from here onward.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.
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 massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost once more.