I Would Be Licking My Lips Facing the English Team - 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 psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
How will they respond for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think no one anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to complete the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were well on top at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland 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 wide of off-stump, on the up, through the covers.
Trying to score off those deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.
There is much discussion 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 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 do not reassess, they will struggle for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, knowing one mistake could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset 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 change, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it feels like England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were hit by one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a match I participated in.
My old mate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the pitch and the context of the game situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote Head up the order for the second innings.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I don't think the two were connected.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia advanced Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In promoting Head, 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 the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but sometimes you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.
Perth Stadium is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a some respite from now on.
It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they were dismissed.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to win 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 2-0, which is why the venue is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone once more.
