I'd Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe no one expected what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. 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 catalyst for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring multiple wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot 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 no alternatives if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.
My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.
In promoting Head, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the question 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 a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position 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 opposition would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some relief from now on.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost once more.