I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing England - McGrath
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The Australian team to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one expected what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed 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 method.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I relied on my precision, having confidence to hit the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing one mistake could result in multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, 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 Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I played in.
My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start 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 missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost again.