I Would Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think no one anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. 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 probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It showed 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 approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I depended on my precision, having confidence to land the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, aware a single error could bring three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, 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 adapt, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.
In the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
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Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.
The opener has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, 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 stick with the method of attacking play at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some respite from now on.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be gone again.