I'd Be Licking My Lips Bowling to the English Team - Glenn McGrath
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The Australian team to fight back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what psychological damage will be inflicted upon the England team.
What are they going to do for the remaining series?
Surprising Comeback
I do not think no one anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on fast forward.
England were clearly dominant at lunch on the second day, 105 ahead with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.
Batting Mistakes
From that point, England's choice of strokes was their big undoing. The Australian bowler put in arguably his poorest performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the second to be the driving force for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls wide of off-stump, in the air, through the covers.
Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batter in Australia.
Adjustment Problems
It demonstrated that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's method, their aggressive style. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under their captain and Brendon McCullum, they can be pretty stubborn when it comes to sticking with that strategy.
It is acceptable on slow, low 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 entire series.
Bowling Perspective
As a paceman, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.
I depended on my accuracy, having confidence to hit the identical area 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 prospect of facing them, knowing a single error could bring three or four wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have ability, but great players have the mental toughness and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.
They would been shellshocked at the way things unfolded at the venue, 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 pace attack. England's attack was very good on the first evening, then lost direction when they were put under pressure on the second night.
In Test cricket, all aspects require a backup strategy. Quite often it feels like England have one method, then no alternatives if that fails.
'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in six balls
Head's Masterclass
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 quickest by an Australian man in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a match I participated in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the game circumstances, the innings will go down as a moment of Ashes history.
Strategic Decisions
It was a bold and brave move for Australia to promote the batsman in the lineup for the follow-on.
Usman Khawaja has copped it for being failing to start in either innings. He had muscle issues after playing the sport the day before the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When Khawaja missed out on day one, Australia advanced their number three and got stuck.
In promoting Head, who has the confidence of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to go on offensive to England.
Upcoming Decisions
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them stick with 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 return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or Josh Inglis could move to the opening. It would be difficult for Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.
Tournament Perspective
After the first Test was dominated by the bowlers, 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 little bit of respite from here onward.
It is not all about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place consistently. Overall, batters on both sides will need to analyze how they got themselves out.
Crucial Next Test
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.
In the historic series, I was part of the national side that overwhelmed England to win 5-0. The rivalry in this nation have a tendency of slipping from England rapidly.
At the moment, England are only 1-0 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 gone once more.
