I'd Be Licking My Lips Facing England - Glenn McGrath

• Published
  9 minutes ago
• 4 Comments

For Australia to fight back and claim victory in the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, one questions what scars will be left on the England team.

What are they going to do for the rest of series?

Surprising Comeback

I believe anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. 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 playing surface was still doing plenty. It looked so tough for Australia to re-enter the match.

Batting Mistakes

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 second to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batsmen were out attempting to strike balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Trying to score off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just should avoid as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had not done their preparation, are unable to adapt or are reluctant to change approach.

There is much discussion about England's approach, their aggressive style. 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 adhering to that method.

It is acceptable on sluggish pitches. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia it is a method fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.

Bowling Perspective

As a bowler, I would have always felt in the game against this England team.

I relied on my precision, having confidence to hit the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and movement.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of bowling to them, aware one mistake could result in three or four wickets.

Skill and Resilience

There are occasions when England can be a high-quality team. They have good players. Good players have skill, but exceptional athletes have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the situation.

They would been stunned at the way things unfolded at Perth Stadium, crushed at the way they were defeated. Now we will see what they are capable of. Even as a true blue Australian, I somewhat wants to see them adapt, just to show they can get better.

Bowling Concerns

It was similar with their bowling. England's attack was excellent on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were put under pressure on the second night.

In Test cricket, all aspects require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England collapse in quick succession

Brilliant Innings

In fairness to England's pace attack, they were confronted with one of the memorable Ashes innings by the Australian batsman.

His century off 69 deliveries was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind the legendary keeper at the Waca 19 years ago – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the superior of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the pitch and the context of the match situation, Head's knock will go down as a moment of Ashes history.

Tactical Moves

It was a bold and brave move for Australia to elevate Head up the order for the second innings.

Usman Khawaja has faced criticism for being failing to start in either innings. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I don't think the two were linked.

When Khawaja missed out on the opening day, Australia promoted their number three and got stuck.

In promoting Head, who has the experience of starting in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.

Future Considerations

Now there is the question of what Australia will do for the next match. I'd like to see them stick with the method of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder comes into the middle order, or return to his position and the all-rounder or Josh Inglis could move to the top. It would be difficult for the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the rival team would find most challenging.

Tournament Perspective

After the first Test was dominated by the pace attack, some are wondering if the remaining series will be brief, low-run Tests.

The venue is pretty much the quickest, liveliest pitch in the global cricket, so the batsmen should get a some relief from here onward.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be given to the pacemen for delivering the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they were dismissed.

Pivotal Match

Now we progress to the next venue, and the vastly different twilight conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, 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 just one match down. There would be no coming back from two down, which is why the venue is such a massive game.

They must adapt, or the historic urn will be gone again.