I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I believe no one anticipated what happened on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to complete the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those shots, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could result in multiple wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been stunned at the way events developed at Perth Stadium, devastated at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
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 batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground previously – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the method of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of 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 respite from here onward.
It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.
At the present, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost once more.