I Would Be Salivating Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think no one expected what happened on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second 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.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed 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 fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my precision, having confidence to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are times when England can be a high-quality 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 shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Frequently it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I participated in.
My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the context of the game situation, the innings will go down as a moment of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the top of the order.
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 go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team 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 essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
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 tendency of slipping from England rapidly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 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.
