I'd Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening 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 rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, 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 accuracy, backing myself to hit the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, aware one mistake 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 situation.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were beaten. 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 improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
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Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a match I played in.
My old mate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the pitch and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Upcoming Decisions
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 someone like Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, 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 pacemen for getting the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone once more.