I Would Be Licking My Lips 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 left on the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe anyone anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were well on top 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 re-enter 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 batsmen were out attempting to strike 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.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing one mistake 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 situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the match circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.
In moving 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 question 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 someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh 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 uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a little bit of relief from here onward.
It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost again.