I'd Be Salivating Bowling to England - Glenn McGrath

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The Australian team to bounce back and claim victory in the opening 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 do not think anyone 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 the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.

Batting Mistakes

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 initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adaptation Issues

It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it up close 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 method.

It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.

Bowling Perspective

As a bowler, 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 bit of bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring three or four 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 attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, devastated at the way they were beaten. 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 the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In the longest format, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in six balls

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, the innings will go down as a highlight of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head in the lineup for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.

When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.

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

Future Considerations

Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder enters the batting lineup, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could go to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

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

It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.

Pivotal Match

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

In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of getting away from England quickly.

At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost once more.

Francisco Sherman
Francisco Sherman

A passionate gamer and strategy expert with years of experience in competitive gaming and content creation.