I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to England - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions 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 transpired on the weekend. When you look at the quantity of deliveries taken to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.
England were well on top at the midday break on the following day, 105 ahead with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still doing plenty. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to re-enter the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that moment, England's shot selection was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, in the air, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had not done their homework, are not able to adjust or are unwilling to change approach.
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 Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to sticking with that method.
It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England do not reassess, they will struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the identical area 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 bowling to them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and mindset to be flexible 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, part of me wants to see them change, just to show they can improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their bowling. England's bowling unit was very good on the first evening, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the second night.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Frequently it seems England have a single approach, then nowhere to go if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England lose third wicket in quick succession
Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Waca previously – a game I participated in.
My old mate Gilly said the performance was the better of the two. I concur. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the situation of the match situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of cricket lore.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the follow-on.
The opener has copped it for being unable to open in both attempts. 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 Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In promoting Head, 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 question 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 Head remains, meaning a player such as the all-rounder comes into the batting lineup, or Head could go back to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could move to the top. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, questions arise if the rest of series will be brief, low-run Tests.
The venue is essentially the fastest, bounciest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not all about the pitch. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batters on each team will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct twilight conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was part of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country 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 two down, which is why Brisbane is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.