I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe no one expected what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs required to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It showed that England had failed to complete their preparation, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I observed 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 adhering to that method.
It is acceptable on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I relied on my precision, 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 facing them, knowing a single error could bring multiple 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 exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, 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 change, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have one method, 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 defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the pitch and the situation of the match circumstances, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the second innings.
The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.
In promoting Head, 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 question of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes 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 pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be awarded to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters 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 2006-07, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be gone once more.
