I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs required to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second 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 choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
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 sticking with that strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I depended on my precision, having confidence to hit the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing a single error could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable 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 bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked 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.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal 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 the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.
My old mate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When the batsman failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting 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 continue the method of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the opening. 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 rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from here onward.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded 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.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 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 recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.