I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs 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 moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed 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 fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, having confidence to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the second night.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the game situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving 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 question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a little bit of relief from here onward.
It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost again.