I Would Be Licking My Lips Bowling to the English Team - McGrath

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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Unexpected Turnaround

I believe anyone anticipated what happened on the weekend. When you examine the number of overs required to finish the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.

England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection 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 driving force for the comeback.

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

Trying to score 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 failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to 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 whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my precision, backing myself to hit the same spot around 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 bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring multiple wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated 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 adapt, just to show they can improve.

Bowling Concerns

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

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Brilliant Innings

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 the historic rivalry, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote Head in the lineup for the follow-on.

The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.

When the batsman missed out on day one, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.

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

Upcoming Decisions

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

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Series Outlook

After the opening match was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.

The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, 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 bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we progress to Brisbane, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the second Test.

In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost once more.

April Campbell
April Campbell

An avid hiker and writer who blends nature exploration with poetic storytelling.