I'd Be Salivating Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you examine 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, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough 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 probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batters were out attempting to strike 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 batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is fine 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 face difficulties for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the same spot on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could result in multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, crushed 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 change, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In the longest format, all disciplines 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
Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.
My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the follow-on.
The opener has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence 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 method of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the middle order, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be gone again.