I Would Be Salivating Bowling to the English Team - McGrath

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For Australia to bounce back and claim victory in the opening Ashes Test as decisively as they did, one questions what scars will be left on 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 Saturday. When you examine the quantity of deliveries required to finish the game, it was the longest format on fast forward.

England were well on top at the midday break on the second day, leading by 105 runs with nine wickets in hand. The pitch was still offering assistance. It looked so tough for Australia to get back into the match.

Shot Selection Woes

From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the initial batting, then turned it around in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the recovery.

England's batters were out trying to hit balls wide of off-stump, on the up, towards cover region.

Attempting runs off those bowls, with those strokes, is the one thing you just do not do as a batter in Australia.

Adjustment Problems

It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are not able to adjust 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 their captain 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 approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.

Bowling Perspective

As a paceman, I would have always felt in the contest against this England team.

I depended on my accuracy, backing myself to hit the same spot on or outside off stump, with a bit of bounce and nip.

Even if this England team was going well, I'd be eagerly anticipating at the prospect of facing them, aware one mistake could bring three or four wickets.

Quality and Mental Toughness

There are times when England can be a top-class team. They have good players. Competent cricketers have ability, but great players have the psychological strength and attitude to be flexible enough for the conditions.

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

Pace Attack Issues

It was almost the same with their pace attack. England's attack was very good on the opening day, then lost the plot when they were attacked on the following day.

In the longest format, all disciplines require a Plan B. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that fails.

'Where has this come from?' - The dismissal as England lose third wicket in six balls

Brilliant Innings

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

His 69-ball hundred was the second quickest by an Australian batsman in the historic rivalry, 12 balls behind Adam Gilchrist at the Perth ground previously – a game I participated in.

My former teammate Gilly said Head's innings was the better of the two. I agree. Considering the difficulty of the wicket and the situation of the game circumstances, the innings will be remembered as a moment of cricket lore.

Tactical Moves

It was a courageous move for Australia to elevate the batsman in the lineup for the follow-on.

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

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

In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the experience of starting 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 next match. I'd like to see them continue the approach of aggression at the beginning.

That could mean Head remains, meaning someone like the all-rounder enters the middle order, or return to number five and Mitchell Marsh or the keeper could move to the opening. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most uncomfortable.

Series Outlook

After the first Test was controlled by the pace attack, 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 batsmen should get a some respite from now on.

It is not entirely about the wicket. Credit has to be awarded to the bowlers for getting the ball in the correct areas consistently. Overall, batters on each team will need to analyze how they were dismissed.

Crucial Next Test

Now we move on to the next venue, and the completely distinct day-night conditions for the following match.

In 2006-07, I was a member 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 crucial game.

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

Michael Williams
Michael Williams

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