I'd Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath

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The Australian team to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think anyone expected what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.

England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, 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 adhering to that method.

It is acceptable 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 whole series.

Bowling Perspective

As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.

I depended on my precision, having confidence 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 licking my lips at the idea of facing them, knowing a single error could result in multiple wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.

In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession

Head's Masterclass

In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the follow-on.

The opener has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.

When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of attacking play at the top of the order.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest 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 right place so often. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.

At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone again.

Kurt Thornton
Kurt Thornton

A passionate card game strategist and writer, sharing expert tips and engaging stories to enhance your gaming experience.