I'd Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following 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 point, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the recovery.
England's batters were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are unable to adjust or are unwilling 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 quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, knowing a single error could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the situation.
They would been stunned at the way things unfolded 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 change, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In defense to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I played in.
My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.
When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the method of attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was controlled by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining 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 awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a habit of getting away from England rapidly.
At the present, England are just one match 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 Ashes will be gone again.