I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively 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 do not think no one anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries taken to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine 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 choice of strokes was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the comeback.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle 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, having confidence to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were defeated. 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.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot 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 does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I participated in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them continue the method of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining 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 some relief from now on.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be gone once more.
