I Would Be Salivating Bowling to England - McGrath
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The Australian team to fight 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.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think no one 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 fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is acceptable on sluggish 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.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing 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. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them change, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
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 previously – a match I played in.
My former teammate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the game situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of cricket lore.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Upcoming Decisions
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 aggression at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the opening. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batters should get a some relief from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was part of the Australia team that dominated England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a tendency of getting away from England quickly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost again.
