I Would Be Salivating Bowling to England - McGrath
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For Australia to bounce back and win the first Ashes Test so convincingly as they did, you wonder what scars will be left on the England team.
What are they going to do for the rest of series?
Unexpected Turnaround
I believe anyone anticipated what transpired on the weekend. When you look at the number of overs taken to complete 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 playing surface was still offering assistance. 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. Scott Boland put in probably his worst performance in an Australia shirt in the first innings, then completely reversed in the subsequent innings to be the catalyst for the comeback.
England's batsmen were out trying to hit balls outside off stump, on the up, towards cover region.
Attempting runs off those deliveries, with those strokes, is the precise action you just do not do as a batsman in Australia.
Adaptation Issues
It showed that England had failed to complete their homework, are unable to adjust or are reluctant to change approach.
There is much discussion about England's approach, their attacking philosophy. I witnessed it up close during the 2023 Ashes 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 slow, low pitches. On the quick, lively pitches of Australia it is a approach fraught with danger. If England fail to reconsider, they will face difficulties for the entire series.
Pacer's Viewpoint
As a bowler, I would have consistently believed in the game against this England team.
I depended on my precision, backing myself to land the identical area around off stump, with a some bounce and nip.
Even if this England team was going well, I'd be licking my lips at the idea of bowling to them, knowing one mistake could bring multiple wickets.
Quality and Mental Toughness
There are times when England can be a high-quality team. They have talented individuals. Good players have skill, but great players have the psychological strength and mindset to be flexible enough for the conditions.
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 made of. Even as a true blue Australian, part of me wants to see them adapt, 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 second night.
In the longest format, all disciplines require a backup strategy. Quite often it seems England have one method, then nowhere to go if that does not work.
'Where has this come from?' - Starc bowls Root as England lose third wicket in six balls
Brilliant Innings
In fairness to England's bowlers, they were confronted with one of the great Ashes innings by Travis Head.
His 69-ball hundred was the second fastest by an Australian batsman in Ashes cricket, two overs behind the legendary keeper at the Perth ground 19 years ago – a match I participated in.
My old mate Gilly said the performance was the superior of the two. I agree. Given the challenging nature of the wicket and the context of the match situation, Head's knock will be remembered as a highlight of Ashes history.
Tactical Moves
It was a courageous move for Australia to promote the batsman up the order for the second innings.
The opener has faced criticism for being failing to start in both attempts. He had back spasms after playing golf the previous day the Test, but I do not believe the two were linked.
When Khawaja failed on day one, Australia promoted Marnus Labuschagne and got bogged down.
In promoting the aggressive batsman, who has the confidence of opening in white-ball cricket, Australia were able to take the attack to England.
Future Considerations
Now there is the issue of what Australia will do for the second Test. I'd like to see them continue the approach of aggression at the top of the order.
That could mean continuation at the top, meaning a player such as Beau Webster enters the batting lineup, or return to number five and the all-rounder or the keeper could go to the top. It would be tough on the batsman, but occasionally you have to do what the opposition would find most challenging.
Series Outlook
After the opening match was dominated by the bowlers, some are wondering if the remaining 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 relief from here onward.
It is not all about the pitch. Recognition has to be given to the bowlers for getting the ball in the right place consistently. In general, batsmen on both sides will need to look at how they got themselves out.
Pivotal Match
Now we progress to Brisbane, and the vastly different day-night conditions for the second Test.
In 2006-07, I was a member of the national side that dominated England to achieve 5-0. The rivalry in this country have a tendency of slipping from England quickly.
At the present, England are just one match down. There would be no coming back from 2-0, which is why Brisbane is such a massive game.
They must adapt, or the historic urn will be lost again.
