I'd Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening 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 do not think no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs required to finish the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, 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 approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, aware one mistake could result in three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good 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 backup strategy. Frequently it seems 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 confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I participated in.
My former teammate 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 match situation, the innings will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of attacking play at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest 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 awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be gone once more.