🔗 Share this article I'd Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath Published9 minutes ago 4 Comments The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team. How will they respond for the rest of series? Unexpected Turnaround I do not think anyone expected 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 the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match. Shot Selection Woes From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback. England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region. Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia. Adjustment Problems It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to change approach. There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method. It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with 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 hit the same spot on or outside 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 one mistake could bring multiple wickets. Skill and Resilience There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions. They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve. Bowling Concerns It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night. In the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails. 'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession Brilliant Innings In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman. His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in. My old mate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore. Tactical Moves It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the second innings. The opener has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected. When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck. In promoting Head, who has the confidence of starting 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 aggression at the beginning. That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging. Tournament Perspective After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests. Perth Stadium is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from here onward. It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out. Pivotal Match Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test. In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of slipping from England quickly. At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game. They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost again.