I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, through the covers.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's method, 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 adhering to that strategy.
It is acceptable on slow, low 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 consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, backing myself to hit the identical area around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated 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 adapt, 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 put under pressure on the second night.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go 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 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I participated in.
My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game situation, the innings will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the second innings.
The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms 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 promoted their number three and got bogged down.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of attacking play at the top of the order.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like 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 opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some relief from here onward.
It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batters on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost once more.