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 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 rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think no one expected what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings 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 deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable 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 Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is fine 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.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I depended on my precision, having confidence to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, aware one mistake could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are occasions when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at the venue, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Frequently it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.
The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.
In promoting Head, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, 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 approach of attacking play at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is pretty much the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the historic urn will be lost again.