I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath

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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think no one anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.

There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it up close 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 quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method 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 game against this England team.

I relied on my precision, having confidence to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware a single error could bring 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 psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue 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 very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'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 quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game situation, 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 in the lineup for the second innings.

The opener has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

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 aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone once more.

Gregory Ward
Gregory Ward

A passionate tech enthusiast and gamer, sharing insights and reviews to help others navigate the digital world.

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