I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to the English Team - McGrath
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The Australian team to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I do not think anyone expected what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs required to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were well on top at the midday break 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 re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the catalyst for the recovery.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their homework, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the recent series in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that strategy.
It is fine on slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the whole series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to land the same spot around off stump, with a bit of bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, aware one mistake could bring three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have skill, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be adaptable enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were beaten. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.
Bowling Concerns
It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was excellent on the first evening, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
In defense 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 Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I played in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the match circumstances, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had muscle issues after playing golf the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on the opening day, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got stuck.
In moving the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of starting 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 next match. I'd like to see them stick with the approach of attacking play at the top of the order.
That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or Head could go back to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could go to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from now on.
It is not entirely about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas so often. In general, batsmen on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress 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 tendency of getting away from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They need to adjust, or the Ashes will be gone once more.