I Would Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder 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 the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adjust or are unwilling to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I relied on my precision, backing myself to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing a single error could result in three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way events developed 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 change, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I played in.
My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the match situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the follow-on.
The opener has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some relief from now on.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on each team will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone once more.