I Would Be Salivating Facing the English Team - Glenn McGrath

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

What are they going to do for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone anticipated what happened 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, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and their coach, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to adhering to that method.

It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.

Pacer's Viewpoint

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

I depended on my precision, having confidence to land the same spot around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the idea of facing them, aware one mistake could result in three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

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 mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made 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 pace attack. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In the longest format, all aspects require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then no alternatives if that does not work.

'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 Travis Head.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the game situation, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

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 unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.

In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, 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 aggression at the beginning.

That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.

Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some relief from now on.

It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batters 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 Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of slipping from England quickly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost again.

Daniel Fry
Daniel Fry

Elena is a seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in reviewing online casinos and sharing winning strategies.