I'd Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think no one expected what transpired on Saturday. 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 lunch on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, 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.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed 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 slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
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 high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
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 get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England lose third wicket 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 fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a match I participated in.
My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.
The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. 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 the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, 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.
The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from now on.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.
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 once more.