I Would Be Salivating Bowling to England - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and win the opening Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder 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 anticipated what transpired on Saturday. When you look at the number of overs required to finish the game, it was Test cricket on accelerated pace.
England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with most wickets in hand. The playing surface was still offering assistance. It looked extremely difficult for Australia to get back into the match.
Shot Selection Woes
From that point, England's shot selection was their major downfall. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an national colors in the initial batting, then completely reversed 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 deliveries, with those shots, is the one thing you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It showed that England had not done their preparation, are not able to adapt or are unwilling to change approach.
There is a lot of talk about England's approach, their aggressive style. I observed it firsthand during the 2023 Ashes in the UK. Under Ben Stokes and their coach, they can be quite rigid when it comes to adhering to that method.
It is fine on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method full of danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will struggle for the whole series.
Bowling Perspective
As a bowler, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.
I relied on my precision, backing myself to hit the identical area on or outside off stump, with a some bounce and movement.
Even if this England team was performing strongly, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of facing them, aware a single error could result in three or four wickets.
Skill and Resilience
There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have talented individuals. Competent cricketers 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 events developed at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were beaten. 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 improve.
Pace Attack Issues
It was similar with their pace attack. England's bowling unit was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.
In Test cricket, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
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Brilliant Innings
In defense to England's bowlers, they were hit by one of the memorable Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian man in Ashes cricket, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a game I played in.
My former teammate Gilchrist said the performance was the superior of the two. I concur. Given the difficulty of the wicket and the context of the match situation, the innings will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup 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 don't think the two were linked.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.
In moving Head, who has the experience of opening in limited overs, Australia were able to take the attack 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 approach of aggression at the beginning.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning someone like Beau Webster comes into the middle order, or return to his position and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on Khawaja, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was controlled by the pace attack, questions arise if the remaining series will be short, low-scoring Tests.
The venue is essentially the quickest, liveliest pitch in the world, so the batsmen should get a some respite from here onward.
It is not entirely about the wicket. Recognition has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the right place so often. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.
Pivotal Match
Now we move on to the next venue, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the following match.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to win 5-0. Ashes series in this country have a habit of slipping from England rapidly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no recovery from 2-0, which is why the venue is such a crucial game.
They must adapt, or the Ashes will be lost once more.
