I'd Be Salivating Facing the English Team - McGrath
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For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe no one expected what transpired on Saturday. When you examine the number of overs taken to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were clearly dominant at the midday break on the following day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that moment, England's choice of strokes was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.
England's batters were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Trying to score off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It showed that England had failed to complete their preparation, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to adapt.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. 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 adhering to that strategy.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England do not reassess, they will face difficulties for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my accuracy, having confidence to land 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 licking my lips at the idea of facing them, knowing one mistake could result in three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.
They would been shellshocked at the way events developed at the venue, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are made of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost direction when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England collapse in quick succession
Head's Masterclass
In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His century off 69 deliveries was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Waca previously – a match I participated in.
My old mate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the situation of the match situation, the innings 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.
The opener has faced criticism for being unable to open in either innings. He had back spasms after playing the sport the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were connected.
When the batsman missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.
In moving Head, who has the confidence of opening in limited overs, 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 attacking play at the beginning.
That could mean Head remains, meaning a player such as Beau Webster comes into the batting lineup, or return to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go 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 dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering if the rest of series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batters should get a little bit of respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on each team will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to Brisbane, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.
In the historic series, I was part of the Australia team that overwhelmed England to achieve 5-0. Ashes series in this nation have a habit of getting away from England quickly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost again.