I'd Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath

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The Australian team to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be left on the England team.

How will they respond for the remaining series?

Surprising Comeback

I do not think no one expected what happened on Saturday. When you look at the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was the longest format 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.

Batting Mistakes

From that point, England's choice of strokes 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 recovery.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.

Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.

There is a lot of talk about England's method, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the recent series in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.

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

Bowling Perspective

As a paceman, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.

I relied on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of facing them, knowing a single error could result in three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have skill, but exceptional athletes have the mental toughness and attitude to be adaptable enough for the conditions.

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 loyal Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the following day.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Frequently it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

In defense to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.

His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I played in.

My old mate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I concur. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the follow-on.

The opener 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 linked.

When the batsman failed on day one, Australia promoted their number three and got bogged down.

In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting in limited overs, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. 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 middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

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

Perth Stadium is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some respite from here onward.

It is not all about the wicket. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas so often. Overall, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to Brisbane, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the second Test.

In the historic series, I was a member of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of getting away from England rapidly.

At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be lost again.

Ricardo Smith
Ricardo Smith

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