I'd Be Salivating Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe anyone anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it up close 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 strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to land the same spot 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 bring three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me 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 put under pressure on the following day.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'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 confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.
My old mate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In promoting Head, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost again.