I Would Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think no one expected what happened on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, 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 homework, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand 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 acceptable 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 entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of bowling to them, knowing a single error could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. 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 day one, Australia advanced their number three and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive 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 attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the right place so often. In general, batters on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.
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 crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost again.